1926.960(c): Live-Line Work and Minimum Approach Distances
Employers doing power line work must set minimum approach distances no less than those computed by Table V-2 for ac or Table V-7 for dc systems, and make sure no worker or conductive object gets closer to exposed energized parts unless listed conditions are met, such as the worker being insulated from the energized part. For voltages over 72.5 kilovolts, employers must determine the maximum transient overvoltage by engineering analysis or by Table V-8.
Key takeaways
- 1926.960(c) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V).
- OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 26 inspections, with $223,280 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (14), FL (6), KY (3).
- Related part: 1926.960(c)(1) Minimum approach distances (28 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.960(c) ("Live work") is one requirement inside 1926.960 Working on or near exposed energized parts, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart V). It includes 14 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
(c) Live work — 34 citations
(1) Minimum approach distances. Open (c)(1) 28 citations
(i) The employer shall establish minimum approach distances no less than the distances computed by Table V-2 for ac systems or Table V-7 for dc systems. Open (c)(1)(i) 5 citations
(ii) No later than April 1, 2015, for voltages over 72.5 kilovolts, the employer shall determine the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, through an engineering analysis or assume a maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, in accordance with Table V-8. When the employer uses portable protective gaps to control the maximum transient overvoltage, the value of the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, must provide for five standard deviations between the statistical sparkover voltage of the gap and the statistical withstand voltage corresponding to the electrical component of the minimum approach distance. The employer shall make any engineering analysis conducted to determine maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage available upon request to employees and to the Assistant Secretary or designee for examination and copying. Open (c)(1)(ii) 2 citations
See appendix B to this subpart for information on how to calculate the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, when the employer uses portable protective gaps to reduce maximum transient overvoltages.
(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: Open (c)(1)(iii) 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).
(2) Type of insulation. 6 citations
(i) When an employee uses rubber insulating gloves as insulation from energized parts (under paragraph (c)(1)(iii)(A) of this section), the employer shall ensure that the employee also uses rubber insulating sleeves. However, an employee need not use rubber insulating sleeves if: 3 citations
(A) Exposed energized parts on which the employee is not working are insulated from the employee; and
(B) When installing insulation for purposes of paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section, the employee installs the insulation from a position that does not expose his or her upper arm to contact with other energized parts.
(ii) When an employee uses rubber insulating gloves or rubber insulating gloves and sleeves as insulation from energized parts (under paragraph (c)(1)(iii)(A) of this section), the employer shall ensure that the employee: 3 citations
(A) Puts on the rubber insulating gloves and sleeves in a position where he or she cannot reach into the minimum approach distance, established by the employer under paragraph (c)(1) of this section; and 1 citations
(B) Does not remove the rubber insulating gloves and sleeves until he or she is in a position where he or she cannot reach into the minimum approach distance, established by the employer under paragraph (c)(1) of this section. 2 citations
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).
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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: TX (14), FL (6), KY (3), MI (2), IA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEWTRON BEAUMONT, L.L.C. | PORT ARTHUR, TX | $33,100 |
| SOUTHEAST POWER CORPORATION WESTERN | MARION, TX | $23,170 |
| PRIMORIS T&D SERVICES LLC | SEMINOLE, FL | $16,550 |
| FERREIRA POWER SOUTH | LIBERTY HILL, TX | $15,000 |
| STAR ELECTRIC COMPANY OF TEXAS | MIDLAND, TX | $14,906 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.960(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Enforcement of minimum approach distance requirements in 29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V (2016-12-22)
- Extended enforcement dates for minimum approach distances to electrical power lines (2016-01-20)
- Minimum approach distances to electric power transmission and distribution lines during the installation of protective grounds (2015-10-02)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.960(c)(1) Minimum approach distances 28 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1)(iii) 21 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1)(i) 5 citations
- 1926.960(c)(1)(ii) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How are minimum approach distances set?
The employer must establish them no less than the distances computed by Table V-2 for ac systems or Table V-7 for dc systems.
Can a worker go inside the minimum approach distance?
Only under listed conditions, such as when the employee is insulated from the energized part with properly worn rubber insulating gloves, or gloves and sleeves.
Who can see the overvoltage engineering analysis?
The employer must make it available upon request to employees and to the Assistant Secretary or designee.
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.