1926.950(d): Determining Existing Line Conditions
Before work on or near electric lines or equipment starts, the employer must determine existing characteristics and conditions related to the safety of the work, including nominal voltages, maximum switching-transient voltages, hazardous induced voltages, protective grounds, circuit locations, the condition of poles, and environmental conditions.
Key takeaways
- 1926.950(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V).
- OSHA cited it 2 times in the last 3 years, in 2 inspections, with $24,428 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.950(d) ("Existing characteristics and conditions") is one requirement inside 1926.950 General, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart V). It includes 8 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
(d) Existing characteristics and conditions. Existing characteristics and conditions of electric lines and equipment that are related to the safety of the work to be performed shall be determined before work on or near the lines or equipment is started. Such characteristics and conditions include, but are not limited to: 2 citations
(1) The nominal voltages of lines and equipment, 1 citations
(2) The maximum switching-transient voltages,
(3) The presence of hazardous induced voltages,
(4) The presence of protective grounds and equipment grounding conductors,
(5) The locations of circuits and equipment, including electric supply lines, communication lines, and fire-protective signaling circuits,
(6) The condition of protective grounds and equipment grounding conductors,
(7) The condition of poles, and
(8) Environmental conditions relating to safety.
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, as amended at 80 FR 60040, Oct. 5, 2015]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.950.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.950(d).
At 11:30 a.m. on August 9, 2024, Employee #1 was working at a residential site and reached inside a handhole to perform tasks. The employee made contact with an exposed wire and was electrocuted by a live 208V electrical line. Emergency services were called, but…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.950(d).
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Frequently asked questions
When must line conditions be determined?
Before work on or near the lines or equipment is started.
What conditions are included?
Nominal voltages, maximum switching-transient voltages, hazardous induced voltages, protective grounds and their condition, circuit and equipment locations, pole condition, and environmental conditions.
Is the list complete?
No. Conditions include, but are not limited to, the listed items.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.950 (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.