1926.960(c)(1)(iii): Minimum Approach Distance to Energized Parts
Employers must make sure no employee approaches, or takes a conductive object, closer to exposed energized parts than the employer's minimum approach distance, unless the employee is insulated from the energized part, the part is insulated from the employee and other conductive objects at a different potential, or the employee is insulated from other conductive objects as required for live-line barehand work.
Key takeaways
- 1926.960(c)(1)(iii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V).
- OSHA cited it 21 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $138,656 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (6), FL (5), KY (3).
- Related part: 1926.960(c) Live work (34 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.960(c)(1)(iii) is one requirement inside 1926.960 Working on or near exposed energized parts, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart V). 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) The employer shall ensure that no employee approaches or takes any conductive object closer to exposed energized parts than the employer's established minimum approach distance, unless: 21 citations
(A) The employee is insulated from the energized part (rubber insulating gloves or rubber insulating gloves and sleeves worn in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section constitutes insulation of the employee from the energized part upon which the employee is working provided that the employee has control of the part in a manner sufficient to prevent exposure to uninsulated portions of the employee's body), or 3 citations
(B) The energized part is insulated from the employee and from any other conductive object at a different potential, or 3 citations
(C) The employee is insulated from any other exposed conductive object in accordance with the requirements for live-line barehand work in § 1926.964(c).
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.960.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.960(c)(1)(iii).
At 2:42 p.m. on July 19, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a utility company, was working to reconduct new conductor lines. The employee failed to use a rubber insulated hose/cover on a nearby energized electrical conductor, which led to electrocution. Emergency services responded to the…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: TX (6), FL (5), KY (3), IA (2), GA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMORIS T&D SERVICES LLC | SEMINOLE, FL | $16,550 |
| NEWTRON BEAUMONT, L.L.C. | PORT ARTHUR, TX | $16,550 |
| FERREIRA POWER SOUTH | LIBERTY HILL, TX | $15,000 |
| KIOWA LINE BUILDERS, INC. | KEOSAUQUA, IA | $12,500 |
| PIKE ELECTRIC, LLC | SWEETWATER, FL | $12,100 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.960(c)(1)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.960(c)(1)(iii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.960(c) Live work 34 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1) Minimum approach distances 28 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1)(i) 5 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1)(ii) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What distance must workers keep from energized parts?
The employer's established minimum approach distance.
When can a worker get closer?
When insulated from the part, when the part is insulated from the worker and other conductive objects, or when insulated for live-line barehand work under 1926.964(c).
Do rubber gloves count as insulation?
Rubber insulating gloves, or gloves and sleeves, worn per paragraph (c)(2) count when the employee controls the part to prevent exposure of uninsulated body parts.
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.