1926.600(a)(6): Equipment Clearance From Power Lines
Employers must keep equipment near power lines at minimum clearances unless lines are deenergized and visibly grounded or separate insulating barriers are up. Clearance is 10 feet for lines rated 50 kV or below and more for higher voltages. A designated observer is needed when clearance is hard to judge, and any overhead wire is treated as energized until confirmed otherwise.
Key takeaways
- 1926.600(a)(6) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 64 times in the last 3 years, in 45 inspections, with $525,699 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (16), MA (6), FL (5).
- Related part: 1926.600(a) General requirements (111 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6) is one requirement inside 1926.600 Equipment, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart O). It includes 10 sub-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
(6) All equipment covered by this subpart shall comply with the following requirements when working or being moved in the vicinity of power lines or energized transmitters, except where electrical distribution and transmission lines have been deenergized and visibly grounded at point of work or where insulating barriers, not a part of or an attachment to the equipment or machinery, have been erected to prevent physical contact with the lines: 64 citations
(i) For lines rated 50 kV or below, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet; Open (a)(6)(i) 37 citations
(ii) For lines rated over 50 kV, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV over 50 kV, or twice the length of the line insulator, but never less than 10 feet; 2 citations
(iii) In transit with no load and boom lowered, the equipment clearance shall be a minimum of 4 feet for voltages less than 50 kV, and 10 feet for voltages over 50 kV, up to and including 345 kV, and 16 feet for voltages up to and including 750 kV;
(iv) A person shall be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means; Open (a)(6)(iv) 18 citations
(v) Cage-type boom guards, insulating links, or proximity warning devices may be used on cranes, but the use of such devices shall not alter the requirements of any other regulation of this part even if such device is required by law or regulation;
(vi) Any overhead wire shall be considered to be an energized line unless and until the person owning such line or the electrical utility authorities indicate that it is not an energized line and it has been visibly grounded; 2 citations
(vii) Prior to work near transmitter towers where an electrical charge can be induced in the equipment or materials being handled, the transmitter shall be de-energized or tests shall be made to determine if electrical charge is induced on the crane. The following precautions shall be taken when necessary to dissipate induced voltages: 1 citations
(A) The equipment shall be provided with an electrical ground directly to the upper rotating structure supporting the boom; and 1 citations
(B) Ground jumper cables shall be attached to materials being handled by boom equipment when electrical charge is induced while working near energized transmitters. Crews shall be provided with nonconductive poles having large alligator clips or other similar protection to attach the ground cable to the load.
(C) Combustible and flammable materials shall be removed from the immediate area prior to operations.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.600.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.600(a)(6).
At 8:00 a.m. on January 15, 2025, Employee #1 was working for a concrete pumping service was pouring concrete with a pumping hose. The employee moved thehose boom which contacted a nearby overhead high voltage power line. Employee #1 was fatally injured.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 24 |
Top states: TX (16), MA (6), FL (5), VA (5), KY (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BLACK ROCK CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, LLC. | BRUCEVILLE, TX | $145,652 |
| A.D. PAOLINI LLC | WINTHROP, MA | $39,723 |
| WALKER-HILL ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. | OAKLAND, MS | $28,135 |
| KIOWA LINE BUILDERS INC | VANZANT, MO | $23,228 |
| CONCRETE PUMP PARTNERS LLC | BILOXI, MS | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.600(a)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.600(a) General requirements 111 citations
- 1926.600(a)(6)(i) 37 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3) 27 citations
- 1926.600(a)(6)(iv) 18 citations
- 1926.600(a)(5) 17 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3)(i) 16 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3)(ii) 11 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How close can equipment get to a power line rated 50 kV or below?
Minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet.
What clearance applies in transit with no load and boom lowered?
A minimum of 4 feet for voltages less than 50 kV, 10 feet for over 50 kV up to and including 345 kV, and 16 feet up to and including 750 kV.
Should an overhead wire be assumed dead?
No. Any overhead wire is considered energized until the owner or utility says it is not and it has been visibly grounded.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.600 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
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.