1910.333(c)(3)(iii): Vehicle Clearance From Overhead Power Lines
Employers must operate any vehicle or mechanical equipment that can raise parts near energized overhead lines with at least 10 feet of clearance, adding 4 inches for every 10kV over 50kV. Clearance may be reduced only in transit with the structure lowered, with proper insulating barriers, or for insulated aerial lifts used by qualified persons. Workers on the ground may not touch the equipment unless using rated protective equipment or the equipment cannot get closer than allowed.
Key takeaways
- 1910.333(c)(3)(iii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 27 times in the last 3 years, in 26 inspections, with $139,172 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (7), MA (3), LA (2).
- Related part: 1910.333(c) Working on or near exposed energized parts (200 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.333(c)(3)(iii) ("Vehicular and mechanical equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.333 Selection and use of work practices, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). 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
(iii) Vehicular and mechanical equipment. 27 citations
(A) Any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines shall be operated so that a clearance of 10 ft. (305 cm) is maintained. If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10kV over that voltage. However, under any of the following conditions, the clearance may be reduced: Open (c)(3)(iii)(a) 26 citations
(1) If the vehicle is in transit with its structure lowered, the clearance may be reduced to 4 ft. (122 cm). If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10kV over that voltage.
(2) If insulating barriers are installed to prevent contact with the lines, and if the barriers are rated for the voltage of the line being guarded and are not a part of or an attachment to the vehicle or its raised structure, the clearance may be reduced to a distance within the designed working dimensions of the insulating barrier.
(3) If the equipment is an aerial lift insulated for the voltage involved, and if the work is performed by a qualified person, the clearance (between the uninsulated portion of the aerial lift and the power line) may be reduced to the distance given in Table S-5.
(B) Employees standing on the ground may not contact the vehicle or mechanical equipment or any of its attachments, unless: 1 citations
(1) The employee is using protective equipment rated for the voltage; or
(2) The equipment is located so that no uninsulated part of its structure (that portion of the structure that provides a conductive path to employees on the ground) can come closer to the line than permitted in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section.
(C) If any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines is intentionally grounded, employees working on the ground near the point of grounding may not stand at the grounding location whenever there is a possibility of overhead line contact. Additional precautions, such as the use of barricades or insulation, shall be taken to protect employees from hazardous ground potentials, depending on earth resistivity and fault currents, which can develop within the first few feet or more outward from the grounding point.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.333.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.333(c)(3)(iii).
At 9:30 a.m. on May 29, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a plant farm, was workingfrom a platform elevated by a Bobcat model S175 vertical mast skid-steer loader.The employee was using a Stihl HT 133 pole pruner to trim a tree when he made contact…
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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: TX (7), MA (3), LA (2), PA (2), NY (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SPENCER A. OLSON TRUCKING, LLC | BAXLEY, GA | $16,550 |
| 159811 - COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY DBA CMC RECYCLING | GLEN RAVEN, NC | $16,550 |
| BERLIN FEED, INC. | BERLIN, WI | $13,240 |
| FMC TECHNOLOGIES SURFACE INTEGRATED SERVICES INC | ODESSA, TX | $9,679 |
| ECO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES | PHILLIPSBURG, KS | $9,577 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.333(c)(3)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.333(c)(3)(iii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.333(c) Working on or near exposed energized parts 200 citations
- 1910.333(c)(3) Overhead lines 110 citations
- 1910.333(c)(2) Work on energized equipment 61 citations
- 1910.333(c)(3)(i) Unqualified persons 46 citations
- 1910.333(c)(3)(i)(A) 36 citations
- 1910.333(c)(3)(iii)(A) 26 citations
- 1910.333(c)(7) Portable ladders 11 citations
- 1910.333(c)(6) Conductive materials and equipment 10 citations
- 1910.333(c)(3)(i)(B) 10 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What clearance is required from overhead lines?
10 ft. (305 cm), increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10kV over 50kV.
What clearance is allowed in transit with the structure lowered?
4 ft. (122 cm), increased 4 in. for every 10kV over 50kV.
Can ground workers touch the truck near power lines?
Only if they use protective equipment rated for the voltage, or the equipment is located so no uninsulated part can come closer to the line than permitted.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.333 (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 2026-10-22
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.