1926.960(c)(1): Minimum Approach Distances in Construction Power Work
Employers doing construction work on power transmission and distribution lines must set minimum approach distances no less than those computed by Table V-2 for ac systems or Table V-7 for dc systems. For voltages over 72.5 kilovolts, they must find the maximum transient overvoltage by engineering analysis or assume it from Table V-8, and must keep employees and conductive objects from getting closer than the set distance unless the employee is insulated or other listed conditions are met.
Key takeaways
- 1926.960(c)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 24 inspections, with $192,967 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (9), FL (6), KY (3).
- Related part: 1926.960(c) Live work (34 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.960(c)(1) ("Minimum approach distances") is one requirement inside 1926.960 Working on or near exposed energized parts, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart V). It includes 6 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
(1) Minimum approach distances. 28 citations
(i) The employer shall establish minimum approach distances no less than the distances computed by Table V-2 for ac systems or Table V-7 for dc systems. Open (c)(1)(i) 5 citations
(ii) No later than April 1, 2015, for voltages over 72.5 kilovolts, the employer shall determine the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, through an engineering analysis or assume a maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, in accordance with Table V-8. When the employer uses portable protective gaps to control the maximum transient overvoltage, the value of the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, must provide for five standard deviations between the statistical sparkover voltage of the gap and the statistical withstand voltage corresponding to the electrical component of the minimum approach distance. The employer shall make any engineering analysis conducted to determine maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage available upon request to employees and to the Assistant Secretary or designee for examination and copying. Open (c)(1)(ii) 2 citations
See appendix B to this subpart for information on how to calculate the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, when the employer uses portable protective gaps to reduce maximum transient overvoltages.
(iii) The employer shall ensure that no employee approaches or takes any conductive object closer to exposed energized parts than the employer's established minimum approach distance, unless: Open (c)(1)(iii) 21 citations
(A) The employee is insulated from the energized part (rubber insulating gloves or rubber insulating gloves and sleeves worn in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section constitutes insulation of the employee from the energized part upon which the employee is working provided that the employee has control of the part in a manner sufficient to prevent exposure to uninsulated portions of the employee's body), or 3 citations
(B) The energized part is insulated from the employee and from any other conductive object at a different potential, or 3 citations
(C) The employee is insulated from any other exposed conductive object in accordance with the requirements for live-line barehand work in § 1926.964(c).
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.960.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.960(c)(1).
At 2:42 p.m. on July 19, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a utility company, was working to reconduct new conductor lines. The employee failed to use a rubber insulated hose/cover on a nearby energized electrical conductor, which led to electrocution. Emergency services responded to the…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: TX (9), FL (6), KY (3), IA (2), AK (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTHEAST POWER CORPORATION WESTERN | MARION, TX | $23,170 |
| PRIMORIS T&D SERVICES LLC | SEMINOLE, FL | $16,550 |
| NEWTRON BEAUMONT, L.L.C. | PORT ARTHUR, TX | $16,550 |
| FERREIRA POWER SOUTH | LIBERTY HILL, TX | $15,000 |
| ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. | FERNANDINA BEACH, FL | $13,240 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Enforcement of minimum approach distance requirements in 29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V (2016-12-22)
- Extended enforcement dates for minimum approach distances to electrical power lines (2016-01-20)
- Minimum approach distances to electric power transmission and distribution lines during the installation of protective grounds (2015-10-02)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.960(c) Live work 34 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1)(iii) 21 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1)(i) 5 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1)(ii) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Which tables set the minimum approach distances?
Table V-2 for ac systems and Table V-7 for dc systems.
What extra step applies over 72.5 kilovolts?
The employer must determine the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage through engineering analysis or assume it according to Table V-8.
Can the engineering analysis be seen by workers?
Yes. It must be made available upon request to employees and to the Assistant Secretary or designee.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.960 (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.