1910.269(l)(5): Safe Working Position Near Energized Parts
Employers must make sure each employee works, as far as site conditions allow, where a slip or shock will not put the body in contact with exposed energized parts at a different potential. Near parts energized above 600 volts up to 72.5 kilovolts, an employee not using rubber gloves, insulating covers, live-line tools or barehand methods must work where they cannot reach into the minimum approach distance.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(l)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 6 times in the last 3 years, in 6 inspections, with $28,885 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- 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)(5) ("Working position") is one requirement inside 1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 2 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
(5) Working position. 6 citations
(i) The employer shall ensure that each employee, to the extent that other safety-related conditions at the worksite permit, works in a position from which a slip or shock will not bring the employee's body into contact with exposed, uninsulated parts energized at a potential different from the employee's. 1 citations
(ii) When an employee performs work near exposed parts energized at more than 600 volts, but not more than 72.5 kilovolts, and is not wearing rubber insulating gloves, being protected by insulating equipment covering the energized parts, performing work using live-line tools, or performing live-line barehand work under paragraph (q)(3) of this section, the employee shall work from a position where he or she cannot reach into the minimum approach distance, established by the employer under paragraph (l)(3)(i) of this section. Open (l)(5)(ii) 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)(5).
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
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Minimum approach distance (MAD) (2023-08-16)
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)(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
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Frequently asked questions
What is a safe working position?
One where a slip or shock will not bring the body into contact with exposed, uninsulated parts energized at a different potential.
What voltage range does the reach rule cover?
More than 600 volts but not more than 72.5 kilovolts.
When must I stay out of reach of the minimum approach distance?
When not wearing rubber insulating gloves, protected by insulating covers, using live-line tools, or doing live-line barehand work.
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.