1910.269(c): Job Briefings for Electric Power Work
Before each electric power job, employers must give the employee in charge all available information on existing conditions and make sure that person holds a job briefing covering hazards, work procedures, special precautions, energy-source controls and PPE. At least one briefing is needed before the first job of each day or shift for repetitive work, with more briefings for significant changes, and complicated or especially hazardous work needs a more extensive discussion.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $156,328 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MA (5), CO (4), TX (4).
- Related part: 1910.269(c)(1) Before each job (16 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.269(c) ("Job briefing") is one requirement inside 1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 13 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
(c) Job briefing — 29 citations
(1) Before each job. Open (c)(1) 16 citations
(i) In assigning an employee or a group of employees to perform a job, the employer shall provide the employee in charge of the job with all available information that relates to the determination of existing characteristics and conditions required by paragraph (a)(4) of this section. 3 citations
(ii) The employer shall ensure that the employee in charge conducts a job briefing that meets paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this section with the employees involved before they start each job. Open (c)(1)(ii) 13 citations
(2) Subjects to be covered. The briefing shall cover at least the following subjects: hazards associated with the job, work procedures involved, special precautions, energy-source controls, and personal protective equipment requirements. Open (c)(2) 6 citations
(3) Number of briefings. 3 citations
(i) If the work or operations to be performed during the work day or shift are repetitive and similar, at least one job briefing shall be conducted before the start of the first job of each day or shift.
(ii) Additional job briefings shall be held if significant changes, which might affect the safety of the employees, occur during the course of the work. 3 citations
(4) Extent of briefing. Open (c)(4) 2 citations
(i) A brief discussion is satisfactory if the work involved is routine and if the employees, by virtue of training and experience, can reasonably be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards involved in the job.
(ii) A more extensive discussion shall be conducted: Open (c)(4)(ii) 2 citations
(A) If the work is complicated or particularly hazardous, or
(B) If the employee cannot be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards involved in the job. Open (c)(4)(ii)(b) 1 citations
The briefing must address all the subjects listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(5) Working alone. An employee working alone need not conduct a job briefing. However, the employer shall ensure that the tasks to be performed are planned as if a briefing were required. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.269.
Export the list: 28 inspections cited 1910.269(c) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.269(c).
On July 31, 2024, an employee working for an electrical contractor was shocked while replacing flood-damaged electrical cable. The employee died due to electrocution.
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 | 9 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: MA (5), CO (4), TX (4), MO (3), PA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CALPINE CORPORATION | WILMINGTON, DE | $16,550 |
| ASPLUNDH TREE EXPERT, LLC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $16,550 |
| NAES | PLEASANT HILL, MO | $16,550 |
| AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER INC. | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $16,550 |
| AMEREN MISSOURI | JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $16,550 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.269(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.269(c).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.269(c)(1) Before each job 16 citations
- 1910.269(c)(1)(ii) 13 citations
- 1910.269(c)(2) Subjects to be covered 6 citations
- 1910.269(c)(4) Extent of briefing 2 citations
- 1910.269(c)(4)(ii) 2 citations
- 1910.269(c)(4)(ii)(B) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must a job briefing cover?
At least hazards associated with the job, work procedures, special precautions, energy-source controls and PPE requirements.
How many briefings are needed for repetitive work?
At least one before the start of the first job of each day or shift, plus more if significant changes occur.
Can a briefing be short?
A brief discussion is fine for routine work if employees can be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards; complicated or particularly hazardous work needs a more extensive discussion.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.269 (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 2026-11-01
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.