1910.269(l)(1): Only Qualified Workers Near Energized Lines
Only qualified employees may work on or with exposed energized lines or parts of equipment, or in areas with unguarded, uninsulated energized lines or parts operating at 50 volts or more. Electric lines and equipment must be treated as energized unless deenergized under paragraph (d) or (m).
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(l)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 13 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $108,062 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (4), FL (2), HI (1).
- Related part: 1910.269(l) Working on or near exposed energized parts (75 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.269(l)(1) ("General") is one requirement inside 1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 3 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) General. 13 citations
(i) Only qualified employees may work on or with exposed energized lines or parts of equipment. Open (l)(1)(i) 1 citations
(ii) Only qualified employees may work in areas containing unguarded, uninsulated energized lines or parts of equipment operating at 50 volts or more. Open (l)(1)(ii) 6 citations
(iii) Electric lines and equipment shall be considered and treated as energized unless they have been deenergized in accordance with paragraph (d) or (m) of this section. Open (l)(1)(iii) 5 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.269.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.269(l)(1).
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.…
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 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3 |
Top states: NC (4), FL (2), HI (1), TX (1), OH (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 157859 - DUKE ENERGY PROGRESS, LLC | SANFORD, NC | $32,262 |
| TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY | TAMPA, FL | $16,550 |
| AMPERSAND NEW YORK OPERATIONS CO, LLC | TROY, NY | $16,131 |
| DAYTON POWER & LIGHT | JEFFERSONVILLE, OH | $15,625 |
| 154416 - CITY OF ROCKY MOUNT ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION SERVI | ROCKY MOUNT, NC | $8,450 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.269(l)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification on number of qualified employees required when working with electrical components. (2010-02-03)
- Clarification of the 1910.269 requirement for the presence of at least two "qualified" employees for work on exposed energized lines. (2007-10-10)
- Qualifications required under 1910.269 for entry into manholes/vaults to perform work on energized conductors. (2006-11-21)
- 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)
- Determining voltage ratings for electrical insulating equipment used during electrical power distribution and transmission work. (2005-09-27)
- 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)
- CPR/first aid training and "working alone" provisions of 1910.269 (1999-02-22)
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)(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
- 1910.269(l)(2)(i) 4 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Who can work on exposed energized lines?
Only qualified employees.
What voltage triggers the area rule?
Unguarded, uninsulated energized lines or parts operating at 50 volts or more.
When can lines be treated as deenergized?
Only after being deenergized in accordance with paragraph (d) or (m).
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.