1926.952: Job Briefings for Power Line Work
Employers must give the employee in charge all available information on existing job conditions, and that person must hold a job briefing with the crew before each job. Briefings cover hazards, work procedures, special precautions, energy-source controls and PPE, with at least one before each day or shift, more if significant changes occur, and a more detailed discussion for complicated or particularly hazardous work.
Key takeaways
- 1926.952 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V).
- OSHA cited it 9 times in the last 3 years, in 9 inspections, with $57,186 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most-cited part: 1926.952(a) Before each job (8 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.952, "Job briefing", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart V). It has 13 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.952 (13 paragraphs)
(a) Before each job — Open (a) 8 citations
(1) Information provided by the employer. In assigning an employee or a group of employees to perform a job, the employer shall provide the employee in charge of the job with all available information that relates to the determination of existing characteristics and conditions required by § 1926.950(d). 3 citations
(2) Briefing by the employee in charge. The employer shall ensure that the employee in charge conducts a job briefing that meets paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section with the employees involved before they start each job. Open (a)(2) 5 citations
(b) Subjects to be covered. The briefing shall cover at least the following subjects: Hazards associated with the job, work procedures involved, special precautions, energy-source controls, and personal protective equipment requirements. 1 citations
(c) Number of briefings — Open (c)
(1) At least one before each day or shift. If the work or operations to be performed during the work day or shift are repetitive and similar, at least one job briefing shall be conducted before the start of the first job of each day or shift.
(2) Additional briefings. Additional job briefings shall be held if significant changes, which might affect the safety of the employees, occur during the course of the work.
(d) Extent of briefing —
(1) Short discussion. A brief discussion is satisfactory if the work involved is routine and if the employees, by virtue of training and experience, can reasonably be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards involved in the job.
(2) Detailed discussion. A more extensive discussion shall be conducted:
(i) If the work is complicated or particularly hazardous, or
(ii) If the employee cannot be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards involved in the job.
The briefing must address all the subjects listed in paragraph (b) of this section.
(e) Working alone. An employee working alone need not conduct a job briefing. However, the employer shall ensure that the tasks to be performed are planned as if a briefing were required.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.952.
At 1:00 p.m. on September 12, 2024, Employee #1 was raising the boom of a vacuumtruck to install an extension. During the operation, the boom made contact with an overhead electrical line, resulting in electrocution.
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.952, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- 29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V-Enforcement dates (2015-02-18)
- Protection of workers operating mechanical equipment near overhead power lines (1999-12-07)
- Suitable protective equipment. (1997-04-15)
- Grounding and barricading requirements for lifting equipment used near energized lines. (1978-10-17)
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.952(a) Before each job 8 citations
- 1926.952(a)(2) Briefing by the employee in charge 5 citations
- 1926.952(c) Number of briefings
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
What topics must a job briefing cover?
Hazards, work procedures, special precautions, energy-source controls and PPE requirements.
How often are briefings needed?
At least one before the start of the first job each day or shift if work is repetitive and similar, plus more if significant changes occur.
When is a detailed briefing required?
If the work is complicated or particularly hazardous, or if employees cannot be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.952 (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.