1910.

269: Electric Power

Generation, Transmission, and
Distribution
Region IV - OSHA
Scope
This standard covers the
operation and maintenance of
electric power generation,
control, transformation
transmission, an distribution
lines and equipment.
Construction VS Maintenance
Construction:
The erection of new electric
lines and equipment.
The alteration, conversion, and
improvement of existing lines
and equipment.
1910.269(a)(2):
Training
All employees:
Safety practices of 1910.269
Emergency procedures
Other necessary safety
practices
Training in Emergency Procedures
1910.269(a)(2):
Training
Qualified employees:
Ability to distinguish live parts
Ability to determine voltage
Knowledge of minimum
approach distances
Ability to use protective
equipment
1910.269(a)(2):
Training
Regular supervision and annual
inspection to determine compliance
Follow-up training and retraining:
New work procedures
Tasks performed infrequently
Certification
1910.269(b)(1):
CPR & First Aid Training
Performing work on or associated
with:
Exposed lines, or
Equipment energized at 50 volts
or more

1910.269(b)(1):
CPR & First Aid Training
Field work - crews of two or more
employees:
Two trained persons, or
All new hires trained within 3 months
Fixed work locations:
Trained person available within 4
minutes, or
All employees are trained
1910.269(b)(2):
First Aid Supplies
First aid
supplies in a
weatherproof
container on a
service truck.

1910.269(c):
J ob Briefing
Subjects:
Hazards and personal protective
equipment
Work procedures and special
precautions
Energy source control
J ob Briefing
1910.269(c):
J ob Briefing
Number of briefings:
Before start of each day or shift
Additional job briefings if
significant changes occur
Based on nature and complexity of
work
Job planning for one-person crews
1910.269(d): Hazardous
Energy Control Procedures
Deenergize and lock or tag
Additional protective
measures for tags
Protection equivalent to locks

1910.269(d)(2)(ii)(B):
Use of Tagout System Only
Demonstrate full employee
protection
Safety equivalent to lockout
Application of Lockout
Tags rather than
locks are
commonly used in
electric utilities
1910.269(d)(2)(ii)(B):
Use of Tagout System Only
Examples of demonstration of
employee protection:
Removal of a fuse
Removal of an isolating circuit
element
Blocking mechanism on switch
Opening of additional switches on
main circuit, on control circuit
1910.269(e):
Enclosed Spaces
Entered under normal operating
conditions:
Manholes, Vaults
Applies to routine entry in lieu of
1910.146(d) to (k)
1910.269(e) & (t) apply to entry only
1910.269(e):
Enclosed Spaces
1910.146(c) still applies:
Identify permit spaces
Keep unqualified persons out
Coordinate with contractors
If hazardous conditions develop, use
1910.146

1910.269(e):
Enclosed Spaces
Enclosed Spaces (Specific)
Training:
Entrants, attendants
Rescue equipment provided
Evaluate hazards:
Use of attendants
Test, ventilate, monitor
Manhole
Atmospheric Testing prior to Entry
Manhole
Vault with Protective Barrier
Vault Entry
Rescue training
Vault Entry
Rescue Equipment
Testing Equipment
1910.269(g):
Personal Protective Equipment
Follow Part 1910, Subpart I:
Eye and face
Respiratory
Head, foot
Electrical protective devices
Lineman with Protective Gear
Supplied Air Respirator
Air-Purifying Respirator
Negative-pressure fit check
Air-Purifying Respirator
Positive-pressure fit check
1910.269(g)(2):
Fall Protection
When required:
Heights greater than 4 feet
Poles, towers, and similar
structures
Pole Climbing
Body Belt
Pole Climbing Strap
Tower Climbing
Tower Climbing with proper person protective
equipment
Tower Climbing
Tower Climbing with proper person protective
equipment
1910.269(g)(2):
Fall Protection
Not required by qualified employee:
Climbing
Changing location
Must be free from unsafe conditions:
Ice, high winds, contamination on
structure
Must have hands free for climbing
1910.269(g)(2):
Fall Protection
Does not address working on:
Portions of buildings
Electric equipment
(transformers, capacitors)
Aerial lifts
1910.269(h): Ladders, Platforms,
Step Bolts, & Manhole Steps
Part 1910, Subpart D applies
Special ladders and platforms:
Exempt from pitch & footing
requirements
Must be secured in position
May not be overloaded
Special Ladder
Special ladder secured in position
1910.269(h): Ladders, Platforms,
Step Bolts, & Manhole Steps
Special ladders and platforms
Contd:
Must be designed for use
Must have a safety factor of at
least 2.5 times the maximum
Intended load
1910.269(i):
Hand and Portable Power Tools
Cord - and plug connected equipment:
Part 1910, Subpart S applies
Grounded, double - insulated, or
connected through an isolated
transformer with an ungrounded
secondary
Portable and vehicle - mounted
generators
Hydraulic and pneumatic tools
1910.269(j):
Live - Line Tools
Design:
100 kv/ft for fiberglass reinforced
plastic (FRP)
75 kv/ft for wood
Condition of tools:
Daily inspection before use; inspection
every two years
Tests after repair and after inspection
for hollow FRP and wood tools
Live Line Tools
Live Line Tools
1910.269(k):
Materials Handling and Storage
Part 1910, Subpart N applies
Storage in areas restricted to qualified
persons:
Materials must be outside working
space
See 1910.269(u)(1) and (v)(3)
Storage in unrestricted areas:
Materials must be 10 ft away
Add 4 inches for every kv over 50 kV
1910.269(l)(1):
Qualified employees only
At least two persons for:
Work with exposure at more than
600 V
Work with equivalent hazards
Two persons not required for:
Live - line tool work
Routine switching
Emergency repairs
1910.269(l)(2):
Minimum Approach Distances
Minimum approach distances (Tables R-6
through R-10)
Exceptions:
Insulate the employee
Insulate the live part
Employee is insulated from other
exposed conductive object,
As during live-line bare-hand work
Safety Equipment I nspection
I nstallation of Rubber Blankets
1910.269(l)(6):
Apparel
Conductive Clothing:
Prohibited unless no increased
hazard of electrical contact
Flammable Clothing:
Train employees in hazards
Clothing may not increase
extent of possible injury
100% Cotton Shirt
100% Cotton Shirt
Synthetic Shirt
Clothing I ssue
What method are you using to protect
employees from electric arcs and
flames?
Flame Retardant.
Treated.
100% Cotton.
Appropriate weight.
Documentation.
Denim J eans
100% Cotton Sock
Flame Resistant Shirt
1910.269(m): Deenergizing Lines and
Equipment for Employee Protection
Employee Protection
Applies to transmission and
distribution
System operator controls
switching - central control
No central control - use employee
in charge
Request clearance of system
from operator
Employee Protection
Deenergize line:
Open disconnecting means
Tag disconnecting means
Test for deenergized conditions
Install protective grounds
Employee Protection
Work on line
Release clearance:
Notify employees
Clear employees
Remove protective grounds
Report to the system operator
Employee Protection
Reenergize Line:
Remove tags
Close disconnecting
means
1910.269(n): Grounding for
the Protection of Employees
Ground deenergized lines, unless
No possibility of contact with
other source hazard of induced
voltage is not present
Equipotential zone
Test before applying grounds
Grounds
Grounds
Grounding of Lines
Checking Ground Wire
Ground I nstallation
Proper order of connection and
removal:
Install ground end first
Remove line or equipment end
first

1910.269(o):
Testing and Test Facilities
Applies to high-power and high-
voltage testing rather than routine
line work
Establish safe practices
Guard test areas
Grounding to be established and
implemented
Safety checks required
1910.269(p):
Mechanical Equipment
Mechanical considerations:
Inspection
Provisions for backing up
Roll-over protective structures
Outriggers
Load ratings
Bucket Truck
Digger Derrick Truck
Bucket Truck
Bucket truck
with outriggers
fully extended
1910.269(p):
Mechanical Equipment
Operations near energized lines
(equipment) Maintain minimum
approach distance:
Insulated portion of aerial lift is
exempt
Designated observer if
necessary
Warning Label on Bucket Truck
Lineman in Bucket
1910.269(p):
Mechanical Equipment
Additional precautions:
Insulate the lines, or
Insulate the mechanical
equipment, or
Protect employees from
hazardous differences in
potential
I nsulating Lines
I nsulating Lines
Protecting Employee form
Differences in potential
Protecting Employee form
Differences in potential
1910.269(q):
Overhead Lines
Poles, towers safe for climbing (Test
methods for poles in Appendix D)
Installing and removing lines:
Mechanical considerations
Electrical considerations
Live-line bare-hand work; training
required
Tower and structure work
1910.269(r): Line - Clearance
Tree Trimming Operations
1910.269(r)(1):
Electrical
Not applicable to qualified
employees
Always maintain minimum
approach distance
Work may not be performed in
adverse weather conditions Special
training required for work in the
aftermath of a storm
Tree Limb Lodged Between Two
Energized Lines
Mechanical Equipment
Requirements for:
Brush chippers
Sprayers
Stump cutters
Power saws
1910.269(r)(8):
Fall Protection
Each employee shall be tied in with
a climbing rope and safety saddle
when the employee is working aloft
in a tree.
1910.269(s):
Communication Facilities
Microwave Transmission:
See 1910.97
Radiation protection guide
Power Line Carrier
1910.269(t): Underground
Electrical Installations
Access (ladder etc.) required for depth
>4 ft.
Attendants for manholes:
First aid and CPR training.
Employee on the surface may enter
briefly to assist; other than
emergency.
No attendant for housekeeping,
taking readings, etc.
Access ladder for Underground
Electrical I nstallation (Vault)
First Aid Training I nside a Vault
1910.269(t): Underground
Electrical Installations
Defective cables:
Deenergize, if possible
Use shield to contain fault
1910.269(u):
Substations
Access and working space:
NESC guidelines
Guarding of live parts:
NESC guidelines, or
Subpart S (NEC) requirements
Keep draw-out-type circuit breakers in
open position when removing or
inserting
Grounding of conductive fences
Substation Overview
Detailed View of Transformers
I nsulators & Connectors
1910.269(v):
Power Generation
Access and working space:
NESC guidelines
Guarding of live parts:
NESC guidelines, or
Subpart S (NEC) requirements
Changing generator brushes:
Check for ground condition
1910.269(v):
Power Generation
Chemical cleaning of boilers - restrict
access, post signs
Chlorine systems
Coal and ash handling:
MSHA jurisdiction
Railroad
Conveyors
Storage areas
1910.269(w):
Special Conditions
Capacitors
Illumination to enable performing safe
work
Protection against drowning (U.S. Coast
Guard approved floating devices)
Employee protection in public work
areas:
Traffic control
Barricades
Traffic Control
Warning Sign