Subpart R
This standard covers telecommunications center work and field installations involving installation, operation, maintenance, rearrangement, and removal of communications equipment and their supporting structures. See the Application in 1910.268(a)(1) for the definition of center and field work and the types of activities covered.
The Telecommunications standard does not apply to construction work as defined in [1910.12]; such construction activities are covered by the construction standards in part [1926]. See 1910.268(a)(2)(i) and 1910.268(a)(3).
No; installations under the exclusive control of electric utilities used for communications or electric power functions and located on utility-owned or publicly controlled outdoor property are excluded. See 1910.268(a)(2)(ii).
Employers must provide adequate lighting so employees can safely carry out continuous operations, routine observations, and passage. See Illumination in 1910.268(b)(1)(i).
Yes; guardrails and toeboards may be omitted on mezzanine platforms on the side(s) facing equipment frames and only adjacent to equipped frames. See Working surfaces in 1910.268(b)(1)(ii).
No; maintenance aisles or wiring aisles between equipment frame lineups are working spaces and are not considered exit routes for the purposes of [29 CFR 1910.34]. See Working spaces in 1910.268(b)(1)(iii).
Employers must provide and ensure use of eye protection with side shields, acid-resistant gloves and aprons, and accessible quick-drenching or flushing facilities unless batteries are enclosed with explosion-proof vents and sealed rinse/neutralizing packs are provided. See Battery handling requirements in 1910.268(b)(2)(i) and the general first-aid guidance in 1910.268(b)(3).
Electrolyte must be mixed in a well-ventilated room by pouring acid or base gradually into water while stirring; water must never be poured into concentrated acid (>75%). Electrolyte must not be placed in metal containers or stirred with metal objects. See 1910.268(b)(2)(ii).
The open end of the hydrometer must be covered with acid-resistant material while moving it from cell to cell to prevent splashing or throwing electrolyte. See 1910.268(b)(2)(iii).
Employers must provide readily accessible, adequate, and appropriate first-aid supplies and may follow the non-mandatory example in Appendix A to [29 CFR 1910.151]. See 1910.268(b)(3) and 1910.151 for guidance.
Work vehicles stored in garages may carry more than one LP-gas container but the total capacity per vehicle stored in garages must not exceed 100 pounds of LP-gas, and all container valves must be closed when not in use. See 1910.268(b)(4) and consult 1910.110 for garage storage rules.
When transporting nitrogen cylinders horizontally, provide special compartments, racks, or blocking to prevent movement and remove or guard regulators before transport. See 1910.268(b)(5).
Employees or conductive objects must not be brought closer than the approach distance listed in [Table R-2] unless the employee is insulated, the energized parts are insulated/guarded, or the conductors are deenergized and grounded. See 1910.268(b)(7) and Table R-2 in the same section for specific distances by voltage.
Artificial illumination must be provided whenever natural light is insufficient to safely perform the work. See 1910.268(b)(8).
Employers must train employees in the precautions and safe practices in the section and must not allow them to perform covered activities until training is complete; previously trained employees need not be retrained if the employer can demonstrate prior adequate training. See Training requirements in 1910.268(c).
Training should include recognition and avoidance of hazards from harmful substances and animals/plants, emergency procedures, and first aid including artificial respiration where appropriate. See 1910.268(c)(1)-(3).
Before starting work near traffic that could endanger employees, employers must place warning signs, flags, or other traffic control devices conspicuously and use barriers when further protection is needed; at night, use warning lights and barricade excavations. See 1910.268(d)(1).
An employee who finds crossed or fallen wires that create or may create a hazardous situation must remain on guard or use other means to warn others and notify the proper authority as soon as practicable. See 1910.268(d)(3).
Employers must provide required PPE, protective devices, and special tools and ensure employees use them; a competent person must carefully inspect these items before each day's use to confirm they are in good condition. See 1910.268(e).
Employers must provide rubber insulating equipment designed for the voltages encountered and follow [1910.137] requirements (except Table I-6); the employer is responsible for periodic electrical, visual, and mechanical retesting. See 1910.268(f) and 1910.137.
New natural rubber insulating gloves/blankets must be retested every 12 months and new synthetic rubber every 18 months; reissued natural rubber items every 9 months and reissued synthetic rubber every 15 months. See the retest schedule in 1910.268(f)(3).
When work is performed more than 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground on poles and towers, employers must provide and ensure use of a positioning system or personal fall arrest system that meets Subpart I requirements, except as limited by paragraphs (n)(7) and (8). See 1910.268(g)(1) and the Subpart I standards in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I.
Employers must clearly mark adjacent housings to alert personnel to the rotating machinery when commutators and couplings are operated uncovered. See 1910.268(b)(2).
The employer's training certification must identify the person trained, include the signature of the employer or trainer, and the date training was completed; it must be maintained for the duration of employment and made available on request to the Assistant Secretary. See 1910.268(c).
Positioning systems and personal fall arrest systems provided under 1910.268(g) must meet the applicable requirements in Subpart I of part 1910 (the walking-working surfaces and fall protection rules). See 1910.268(g) and 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I.
If there is a potential for head injury from falling objects during crane, hoist, or overhead lifting operations in telecommunications work, employers must provide and require protective helmets that meet the accepted ANSI Z89.1 standards. See 29 CFR 1910.135 (head protection) and the crane operator guidance at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-06-06-2 for OSHA's interpretation on head protection for crane operations.
All insulating gloves used must be designed for the voltage levels encountered and must meet the periodic retesting requirements; you must follow the retest interval applicable to each glove type as in [1910.268(f)(3)], and maintain markings indicating the next test date. See 1910.268(f) and 1910.268(f)(3).
If work exposes energized or moving parts that are normally protected, the employer must display danger signs and erect barricades as necessary to warn and protect other personnel and the public. See 1910.268(d)(2).
Employers must provide artificial illumination whenever natural light is insufficient so employees can perform their tasks safely; portable lighting or vehicle-mounted lights may be used as appropriate. See 1910.268(b)(8).
An employee discovering crossed or fallen wires that create or may create a hazard must remain on guard or adopt other means to warn others and notify the proper authority at the earliest practical moment. See 1910.268(d)(3).
Before transporting gas cylinders, regulators must be removed or adequately guarded, and cylinders must be blocked or secured to prevent movement, as required by 1910.268(b)(5).
Yes; a highway mobile vehicle stored in a garage may carry multiple LP-gas containers but the total capacity per work vehicle stored in garages must not exceed 100 pounds of LP-gas and all valves must be closed when not in use. See 1910.268(b)(4) and consult 1910.110 for related garage storage rules.
Yes; the employer must prepare and maintain a training certification record and make it available upon request to the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health. See 1910.268(c).
You must inspect pole climbers before each day's use and perform a weekly gaff cut-out test while they are in service. Employers are required to ensure that pole climbers are inspected as stated in 1910.268(g)(2)(iii) and that a gaff cut-out test is performed at least weekly when in use. In addition, 1910.268(g)(2)(ii) requires a competent person inspection for specific defects (fractured or cracked gaffs/leg irons, loose or dull gaffs, broken straps or buckles) and that defects be corrected before use.
Pole climber gaffs shorter than 1 1/4 inches (measured on the underside) may not be used, and gaffs must be covered with safety caps when not in use. The rule states this prohibition and storage requirement in 1910.268(g)(2)(i). Ensure measurement and caps are in place to comply.
Pole climbers may not be worn when working in trees, on ladders, in aerial lifts, while driving a vehicle, or when walking on rocky, hard, frozen, brushy, or hilly terrain. These specific prohibitions are listed in 1910.268(g)(2)(iv) and its subparagraphs (A)–(E). Use the appropriate specialized equipment (for example, tree climbers for trees) instead of pole climbers in these situations.
Employers must provide and ensure use of head protection whenever there is exposure to possible high-voltage electrical contact, and the helmets must meet ANSI Z89.2-1971 (Class B) as incorporated by reference. This requirement appears in 1910.268(i)(1) and the incorporation by reference is handled through 1910.6. For practical workplace application (for example, crane operators and overhead hazards), see OSHA's interpretation on head protection at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-06-06-2.
Employers must provide and ensure the use of eye protection where foreign objects may enter the eyes due to operations such as drilling, grinding, chipping, cleaning with compressed air, soldering, or handling batteries, and the requirements of 1910.133(a)(2)–(a)(6) apply. The telecommunication-specific situations are listed in 1910.268(i)(2) and the detailed eye-protection performance and selection rules are in 1910.133.
Flame-type heaters and torches can be used in aerial tents only if the tent material is fire resistant and adequate ventilation is provided, and torches must be turned off when not in actual use. These conditions are specified in 1910.268(i)(3)(i) and 1910.268(i)(3)(ii), and additional torch rules for aerial splicing platforms and buckets are in 1910.268(i)(4). Ensure tents are fire-resistant, ventilated, and that torches are extinguished when idle.
Nominal 120 V or less portable generators do not require grounding if the output circuit is completely isolated from the unit frame; vehicle-mounted generators up to 240 V AC may be ungrounded only when specific conditions are met. The portable generator allowance is in 1910.268(i)(5). The vehicle-mounted generator exception and its three conditions are listed in 1910.268(i)(6) and its subparagraphs (i)–(iii) (one side solidly strapped to vehicle structure; grounding-type outlets with conductor to strapped side; three‑wire grounded cords on metallic‑encased tools). Comply with all listed conditions whenever relying on these exceptions.
Grounding may be omitted for soldering irons, guns, or wire-wrap tools used on telecommunications circuits; electric solder pots used from commercial power must have grounded metal housing but may be used without a grounding conductor when powered by isolated generators described in 1910.268(i)(5). The soldering exemption is in 1910.268(i)(8) and the solder pot and lead-work rules are in 1910.268(i)(9). Additionally, a drip pan to catch hot lead drippings must be provided and used (see the general lead-wiping guidance in the same section). Employers must also ensure use of wiping gloves/cloths and eye protection as required by 1910.268(i)(9).
A competent person must make visual inspections of vehicle-mounted equipment each day it is to be used, and tests at the beginning of each shift to ensure brakes and operating systems are in proper working condition. These requirements are stated in 1910.268(j)(1)(i) and 1910.268(j)(1)(ii). Keep records as appropriate and remove defective equipment from service until repaired.
Employers must follow manufacturer specifications and load ratings, conspicuously post rated capacities and instructions, ensure only trained persons operate derricks, inspect derricks at manufacturer‑recommended intervals but at least annually with records kept, and obtain written certification before any modification that alters capacity or safe operation. These requirements are described in 1910.268(j)(4)(iv)(A) through 1910.268(j)(4)(iv)(G). Follow these steps to maintain safe derrick operation and compliant posting and recordkeeping.
Wire rope must be taken out of service (or the defective portion removed) when strength is significantly reduced by corrosion/pitting/excessive heat; the outer wires' thickness is reduced to two‑thirds or less of original; there are more than six broken wires in any one rope lay; or there is excessive permanent distortion from kinking, crushing, or severe twisting. These removal criteria are listed in 1910.268(j)(4)(iv)(I) and its subparagraphs (1)–(4). Inspect wire rope regularly and remove defective rope immediately.
Employees must be instructed in necessary safety precautions and cable conductors should be isolated as much as practicable before applying voltage; employees must also be warned (by briefings, tagging, etc.) to stay clear while the voltage is applied. These requirements are in 1910.268(l)(1) and 1910.268(l)(2). Implement isolation, briefing and tagging procedures to protect workers and bystanders during high-voltage testing.
When working with poles in piles or stacks, employees should work from the ends as much as possible and take precautions for safety of those at the other end; during pole hauling all loads must be secured and marked (lights, reflectors, flags) as needed; cable reels in storage must be checked or otherwise restrained if they could roll. These material handling rules are in 1910.268(k)(1) and 1910.268(k)(2). Follow these measures to prevent displacement, rolling, and related injuries.
Yes — ladders, step bolts, and manhole steps must meet the applicable requirements in Subpart D of 29 CFR part 1910, and specific mobile ladder stand platform details are described in OSHA guidance. The general Subpart D requirement is in 1910.268(h), and practical details for mobile ladder stands (step rise, tread depth, platform rails, etc.) are discussed in OSHA's interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-06-06-0. Use Subpart D rules and the interpretation for platform-specific compliance.
You may treat power conductors and equipment as de-energized only when you can visually determine they are bonded to one of the acceptable grounds listed in paragraph (m)(4). Employers and employees must consider electric power conductors and equipment as energized unless the employee can visually confirm the bonding specified in 1910.268(m).
Attach temporary bonds by connecting to the protective ground first; remove temporary bonds by disconnecting from the line or equipment first. This is required by 1910.268(m)(5).
Following the correct connect/disconnect order and using bonds that meet the conductivity and size requirements reduces the risk of arcing or hazardous potential during grounding operations.
Before riggers handle antenna lines at a 3–30 MHz transmitting station, the rigger in charge must ensure the transmitter is shut down, the antenna is grounded, and the ground switch is danger-tagged following the steps in 1910.268(m)(7)(i). Specifically, the rigger in charge must prepare a signed danger tag, request the transmitting technician to shut down and ground the antenna, receive notification that the transmitter is shut down, and personally tag the antenna ground switch after grounding has been completed.
Following these steps ensures workers are protected from radio-frequency pickup and accidental re-energization while performing antenna work.