1926.1411: Traveling Under Power Lines With No Load
When equipment travels under or near a power line with no load, the employer must lower the boom/mast enough, keep the Table T clearances, and consider speed and terrain. If any part will get closer than 20 feet to the line, a dedicated spotter in continuous contact with the operator is required. At night or in poor visibility, lines must be lit or otherwise located and a safe travel path used.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1411 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1411, "Power line safety—while traveling under or near power lines with no load", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It has 12 numbered paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
Show the full text of 1926.1411 (12 paragraphs)
(a) This section establishes procedures and criteria that must be met for equipment traveling under or near a power line on a construction site with no load. Equipment traveling on a construction site with a load is governed by § 1926.1408, § 1926.1409 or § 1926.1410, whichever is appropriate, and § 1926.1417(u).
(b) The employer must ensure that:
(1) The boom/mast and boom/mast support system are lowered sufficiently to meet the requirements of this paragraph.
(2) The clearances specified in Table T of this section are maintained.
(3) The effects of speed and terrain on equipment movement (including movement of the boom/mast) are considered so that those effects do not cause the minimum clearance distances specified in Table T of this section to be breached.
(4) Dedicated spotter. If any part of the equipment while traveling will get closer than 20 feet to the power line, the employer must ensure that a dedicated spotter who is in continuous contact with the driver/operator is used. The dedicated spotter must:
(i) Be positioned to effectively gauge the clearance distance.
(ii) Where necessary, use equipment that enables the dedicated spotter to communicate directly with the operator.
(iii) Give timely information to the operator so that the required clearance distance can be maintained.
(5) Additional precautions for traveling in poor visibility. When traveling at night, or in conditions of poor visibility, in addition to the measures specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (4) of this section, the employer must ensure that:
(i) The power lines are illuminated or another means of identifying the location of the lines is used.
(ii) A safe path of travel is identified and used.
| Voltage (nominal, kV, alternating current) |
While traveling—minimum clearance distance (feet) |
|---|---|
| up to 0.75 | 4 |
| over .75 to 50 | 6 |
| over 50 to 345 | 10 |
| over 345 to 750 | 16 |
| Over 750 to 1,000 | 20 |
| Over 1,000 | (as established by the utility owner/operator or registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution). |
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1411.
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Frequently asked questions
When is a dedicated spotter required while traveling near power lines?
When any part of the equipment while traveling will get closer than 20 feet to the power line.
What extra steps apply at night or in poor visibility?
The power lines must be illuminated or located by another means, and a safe path of travel must be identified and used.
What must the dedicated spotter do?
Be positioned to gauge clearance, use equipment to talk directly with the operator where needed, and give timely information so clearance is kept.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1411 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.