1926.960(b): Qualified Workers and Two-Person Rule for Energized Lines
Employers must let only qualified employees work on exposed energized lines or in areas with unguarded energized parts at 50 volts or more, and treat lines as energized until deenergized under 1926.961. At least two employees must be present for listed work at more than 600 volts, with limited exceptions such as routine switching and certain live-line tool work.
Key takeaways
- 1926.960(b) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 8 inspections, with $115,040 in current penalties.
- Most citations: FL (5), TX (3), ND (2).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.960(b) ("General") is one requirement inside 1926.960 Working on or near exposed energized parts, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart V). It includes 15 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
(b) General — 11 citations
(1) Qualified employees only. 6 citations
(i) Only qualified employees may work on or with exposed energized lines or parts of equipment. 5 citations
(ii) Only qualified employees may work in areas containing unguarded, uninsulated energized lines or parts of equipment operating at 50 volts or more. 1 citations
(2) Treat as energized. Electric lines and equipment shall be considered and treated as energized unless they have been deenergized in accordance with § 1926.961. 4 citations
(3) At least two employees. 1 citations
(i) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, at least two employees shall be present while any employees perform the following types of work: 1 citations
(A) Installation, removal, or repair of lines energized at more than 600 volts,
(B) Installation, removal, or repair of deenergized lines if an employee is exposed to contact with other parts energized at more than 600 volts,
(C) Installation, removal, or repair of equipment, such as transformers, capacitors, and regulators, if an employee is exposed to contact with parts energized at more than 600 volts,
(D) Work involving the use of mechanical equipment, other than insulated aerial lifts, near parts energized at more than 600 volts, and
(E) Other work that exposes an employee to electrical hazards greater than, or equal to, the electrical hazards posed by operations listed specifically in paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(A) through (b)(3)(i)(D) of this section.
(ii) Paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section does not apply to the following operations:
(A) Routine circuit switching, when the employer can demonstrate that conditions at the site allow safe performance of this work,
(B) Work performed with live-line tools when the position of the employee is such that he or she is neither within reach of, nor otherwise exposed to contact with, energized parts, and
(C) Emergency repairs to the extent necessary to safeguard the general public.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.960.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: FL (5), TX (3), ND (2), MI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ASN CONSTRUCTORS | ARGUSVILLE, ND | $33,100 |
| ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. | FERNANDINA BEACH, FL | $26,480 |
| POWER SOLUTIONS SERVICES LLC | MARION, TX | $11,585 |
| SOUTHEAST POWER CORPORATION WESTERN | MARION, TX | $11,585 |
| GRIP ELECTRIC | MIDLAND, TX | $11,585 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.960(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.960(b).
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
Who may work on exposed energized lines?
Only qualified employees.
When must lines be treated as energized?
Unless they have been deenergized in accordance with 1926.961.
When are two employees required?
During listed work such as installing, removing or repairing lines energized at more than 600 volts.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.960 (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.