1910.269(l)(1)(i): Only Qualified Employees on Energized Lines
Only qualified employees may work on or with exposed energized lines or parts of equipment.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(l)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $16,550 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.269(l) Working on or near exposed energized parts (75 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.269(l)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). 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
(i) Only qualified employees may work on or with exposed energized lines or parts of equipment. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.269.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.269(l)(1)(i).
At 2:45 p.m. on January 7, 2025, an employee was locating underground power lines when he reached inside a transformer to retrieve a wire connected to the transformer. The employee sustained an arc flash and electrocution injury after contacting a live 7,200 volt gang switch.…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of the 1910.269 requirement for the presence of at least two "qualified" employees for work on exposed energized lines. (2007-10-10)
- Use of live-line tools and exemption to the requirement for at least two employees to be present during work on an energized part. (2006-10-19)
- Minimum number of employees required for performing electric power work conducted from bucket trucks. (2003-09-16)
- Clarification of qualified employee requirements for the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution standard. (2003-03-27)
- Two employees must be present during work on energized systems >600 volts (2001-08-27)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.269(l) Working on or near exposed energized parts 75 citations
- 1910.269(l)(3) Minimum approach distances 28 citations
- 1910.269(l)(3)(iii) 26 citations
- 1910.269(l)(8) Protection from flames and electric arcs 18 citations
- 1910.269(l)(1) General 13 citations
- 1910.269(l)(8)(v) 9 citations
- 1910.269(l)(1)(ii) 6 citations
- 1910.269(l)(5) Working position 6 citations
- 1910.269(l)(1)(iii) 5 citations
- 1910.269(l)(3)(iii)(A) 5 citations
- 1910.269(l)(5)(ii) 5 citations
- 1910.269(l)(2) At least two employees 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who may work on exposed energized lines?
Only qualified employees.
Does this include parts of equipment?
Yes, it covers exposed energized lines or parts of equipment.
Can an unqualified worker help with energized work?
Not on or with the exposed energized lines or parts; that work is limited to qualified employees.
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 2026-10-24
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.