1910.269(q)(1)(i): Check Pole Strength Before Climbing
Before employees climb or install or remove equipment on poles, towers or other elevated structures, employers must make sure the structures can sustain the additional or unbalanced stresses. If a structure cannot withstand the expected loads, the employer must brace or otherwise support it to prevent failure.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(q)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $31,623 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.269(q) Overhead lines and live-line barehand work (5 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.269(q)(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) Before allowing employees to subject elevated structures, such as poles or towers, to such stresses as climbing or the installation or removal of equipment may impose, the employer shall ascertain that the structures are capable of sustaining the additional or unbalanced stresses. If the pole or other structure cannot withstand the expected loads, the employer shall brace or otherwise support the pole or structure so as to prevent failure. 3 citations
Appendix D to this section contains test methods that employers can use in ascertaining whether a wood pole is capable of sustaining the forces imposed by an employee climbing the pole. This paragraph also requires the employer to ascertain that the pole can sustain all other forces imposed by the work employees will perform.
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(q)(1)(i).
At 11:15 a.m. on August 9, 2024, an employee was removing an old power line and replacing it with a new one when the power pole collapsed. The employee fell to the ground, suffering blunt force trauma from the impact with the ground, and was…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.269(q)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.269(q)(1)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.269(q) Overhead lines and live-line barehand work 5 citations
- 1910.269(q)(1) General 3 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When must pole strength be checked?
Before employees subject the structure to stresses like climbing or installing or removing equipment.
What if the pole is not strong enough?
The employer must brace or otherwise support it to prevent failure.
Are there test methods?
Appendix D contains test methods employers can use for wood poles.
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 2026-10-21
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.