1926.600(a)(6)(i): 10-Foot Crane Clearance for Lines 50 kV or Below
For power lines rated 50 kV or below, the minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load must be 10 feet.
Key takeaways
- 1926.600(a)(6)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 37 times in the last 3 years, in 37 inspections, with $427,936 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (10), MA (4), FL (3).
- Related part: 1926.600(a) General requirements (111 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6)(i) is one requirement inside 1926.600 Equipment, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart O). 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) For lines rated 50 kV or below, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet; 37 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.600.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.600(a)(6)(i).
At 8:00 a.m. on January 15, 2025, Employee #1 was working for a concrete pumping service was pouring concrete with a pumping hose. The employee moved thehose boom which contacted a nearby overhead high voltage power line. Employee #1 was fatally injured.
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 | 11 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: TX (10), MA (4), FL (3), NY (2), MS (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BLACK ROCK CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, LLC. | BRUCEVILLE, TX | $145,652 |
| A.D. PAOLINI LLC | WINTHROP, MA | $39,723 |
| WALKER-HILL ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. | OAKLAND, MS | $16,550 |
| CONCRETE PUMP PARTNERS LLC | BILOXI, MS | $16,550 |
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.600(a)(6)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.600(a)(6)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.600(a) General requirements 111 citations
- 1926.600(a)(6) 64 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3) 27 citations
- 1926.600(a)(6)(iv) 18 citations
- 1926.600(a)(5) 17 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3)(i) 16 citations
- 1926.600(a)(3)(ii) 11 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How close can a crane get to a 50 kV line?
For lines rated 50 kV or below, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load shall be 10 feet.
Does the clearance include the load?
Yes. It applies to any part of the crane or load.
Does this cover lines above 50 kV?
No. This paragraph covers lines rated 50 kV or below.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.600 (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 2026-10-19
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.