1910.269(l)(3)(iii)(A): Insulated From the Energized Part
A worker may get closer than the minimum approach distance to an energized part if the worker is insulated from it. Rubber insulating gloves, or gloves and sleeves, worn as required in paragraph (l)(4) count as insulation for the part being worked on, as long as the worker controls the part so no uninsulated body part is exposed.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(l)(3)(iii)(A) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 5 inspections, with $39,730 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)(3)(iii)(A) 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
(A) The employee is insulated from the energized part (rubber insulating gloves or rubber insulating gloves and sleeves worn in accordance with paragraph (l)(4) 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 5 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)(3)(iii)(A).
At 9:30 a.m. on July 23, 2024, an employee working as a lineman for an electric power cooperative was working from a bucket truck switching out transformers at a residence. The employee successfully swapped out the transformer and began connecting the existing wires. At some…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.269(l)(3)(iii)(A), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.269(l)(3)(iii)(A).
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)(5)(ii) 5 citations
- 1910.269(l)(2) At least two employees 4 citations
- 1910.269(l)(2)(i) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Do rubber insulating gloves count as insulation from an energized part?
Yes, when worn as required by paragraph (l)(4) and the worker controls the part so uninsulated parts of the body are not exposed.
Do the gloves protect against other energized parts nearby?
The rule says they count as insulation from the energized part the worker is working on.
What does controlling the part mean here?
The worker must handle the part in a way that keeps it from reaching uninsulated portions of the body.
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.