Power line safety while traveling

This section covers procedures and criteria employers must meet for equipment traveling on a construction site under or near power lines when the equipment is carrying no load. See 1926.1411(a).

• It applies only when the equipment is traveling with no load; traveling with a load is covered by other provisions ([1926.1408], [1926.1409], or [1926.1410]) and by 1926.1417(u).
• Employers must follow the specific criteria in 1926.1411(b) when moving unloaded equipment near power lines.

If equipment is traveling with a load, 1926.1411 does not apply and the employer must follow the appropriate loaded-travel rules in [1926.1408], [1926.1409], or [1926.1410], as well as [1926.1417(u)]. See 1926.1411(a).

• Choose 1926.1408, 1926.1409, or 1926.1410 depending on the specific loaded operation.
• Also comply with 1926.1417(u) for related requirements when traveling with a load.

The boom/mast and its support system must be lowered sufficiently to meet the clearance and other requirements in 1926.1411. See 1926.1411(b)(1).

• "Sufficiently" means low enough so the clearances in Table T are maintained during travel, accounting for movement, bounce, and terrain.
• Employers must also follow the other paragraphs in 1926.1411 (clearances, speed/terrain effects, spotter use, and visibility precautions).

Employers must maintain the minimum clearance distances listed in Table T of 1926.1411 while traveling with no load. See 1926.1411(b)(2).

Table T—Minimum Clearance Distances While Traveling With No Load (nominal kV, AC):

• up to 0.75 kV: 4 feet
• over 0.75 to 50 kV: 6 feet
• over 50 to 345 kV: 10 feet
• over 345 to 750 kV: 16 feet
• over 750 to 1,000 kV: 20 feet
• over 1,000 kV: clearance as established by the utility owner/operator or a registered professional engineer qualified in electrical transmission/distribution

These distances are mandatory when moving equipment with no load.

For power lines over 1,000 kV, the minimum clearance distance must be established by the utility owner/operator or a registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution. See Table T in 1926.1411.

• Employers must follow the clearance distance established by that utility or qualified professional.

Employers must consider how speed and terrain affect equipment movement (including boom/mast movement) so those effects will not cause the minimum clearances in Table T to be breached. See 1926.1411(b)(3).

• Plan for vehicle bounce, sway, or boom movement on uneven ground or slopes.
• Reduce speed or choose a different route if movement could reduce clearance below Table T distances.
• Lower the boom/mast as required by 1926.1411(b)(1).

A dedicated spotter who is in continuous contact with the driver/operator must be used if any part of the equipment while traveling will get closer than 20 feet to the power line. See 1926.1411(b)(4).

• The requirement applies whenever any part of the equipment will come within less than 20 feet of the line during travel.
• The employer is responsible for ensuring the spotter is used when this threshold is met.

The dedicated spotter must be positioned to effectively gauge clearance distance, use communication equipment if necessary to directly contact the operator, and give timely information so the required clearance is maintained. See 1926.1411(b)(4)(i)-(iii).

• Positioning: stand where they can clearly see the clearance between equipment parts and the power line.
• Communication: where needed, use radios or other equipment that allow direct communication with the operator (1926.1411(b)(4)(ii)).
• Timing: give prompt, actionable instructions so the operator can maintain required clearances (1926.1411(b)(4)(iii)).

When traveling at night or in conditions of poor visibility, employers must, in addition to the other requirements, ensure that the power lines are illuminated or the lines' locations are otherwise identified and that a safe path of travel is identified and used. See 1926.1411(b)(5).

• Illumination or marking: light the lines or use other methods to identify their location (1926.1411(b)(5)(i)).
• Path selection: identify and follow a safe path of travel before moving equipment (1926.1411(b)(5)(ii)).

Yes. Where necessary, the dedicated spotter must use equipment that enables direct communication with the operator. See 1926.1411(b)(4)(ii).

• Two-way radios, headsets, or other reliable means that provide direct, continuous communication are acceptable when they enable the spotter to give timely instructions to maintain clearances.

The employer must consider the effects of speed and terrain on equipment and lower the boom/mast sufficiently so those effects do not cause the Table T minimum clearance distances to be breached. See 1926.1411(b)(1) and 1926.1411(b)(3).

• Slow down, select a different route, or lower the boom further if movement could reduce clearance below Table T values.

Yes. The rule requires that the clearances specified in Table T be maintained and that the employer use a dedicated spotter if any part of the equipment will get closer than 20 feet to the power line. The language refers to "any part of the equipment," which includes attachments. See 1926.1411(b)(2) and 1926.1411(b)(4).

• Ensure booms, jibs, counterweights, or any protruding attachments maintain Table T clearances while traveling.

The employer must identify and use a safe path of travel and ensure the power lines are illuminated or otherwise identified when traveling at night or in poor visibility. See 1926.1411(b)(5)(i)-(ii).

• Before moving, conduct a walk-through or use illuminated markers to show the route and line locations.
• Use a dedicated spotter if any equipment parts will come within 20 feet of the lines.

A dedicated spotter is required only if any part of the equipment will get closer than 20 feet to the power line; if the equipment will come exactly 20 feet away (not closer), the dedicated spotter threshold in 1926.1411(b)(4) is not triggered. See 1926.1411(b)(4).

• Even when a spotter is not required by the "closer than 20 feet" rule, the employer still must maintain the Table T minimum clearances in 1926.1411(b)(2).

The employer is responsible for ensuring compliance with 1926.1411, including lowering the boom/mast, maintaining Table T clearances, considering speed and terrain effects, using a dedicated spotter when required, and applying visibility precautions. See 1926.1411(b).

• Employers must put procedures in place and enforce them so operators and spotters follow the rule's requirements.

1926.1411 establishes procedures and criteria employers must meet but does not explicitly require that those procedures be written. See 1926.1411(a).

• Although the standard does not mandate written procedures, documenting the employer's plan (clearances, spotter use, routes, lighting) is a practical way to demonstrate compliance and to train workers.

1926.1411 requires maintaining the Table T clearances while traveling with no load and does not explicitly address de-energized lines; for very high voltages (over 1,000 kV) the clearance is set by the utility owner/operator or a qualified registered professional engineer. See 1926.1411(b)(2).

• If relying on utility actions (like de-energizing or grounding), employers should coordinate with the utility and obtain any required written confirmation or procedures from the utility or a qualified electrical professional before assuming different clearance practices, particularly for voltages above 1,000 kV where the utility or licensed engineer sets the clearance.

For voltages over 1,000 kV, the clearance must be established by the utility owner/operator or by a registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution. See Table T in 1926.1411.

• That means the engineer must be registered and qualified in the field of electrical power transmission and distribution to set the applicable clearance.

Yes. The dedicated spotter must be in continuous contact with the driver/operator so they can provide timely information to maintain required clearances. See 1926.1411(b)(4).

• "Continuous contact" means the spotter must be able to communicate promptly with the operator during the movement (direct eye contact, hand signals with line-of-sight, or reliable two-way communication devices when needed per 1926.1411(b)(4)(ii)).

1926.1411 requires that a dedicated spotter be positioned and able to communicate timely information, but it does not expressly specify training requirements for spotters; however, the employer must ensure the spotter can effectively gauge clearances and communicate. See 1926.1411(b)(4)(i)-(iii).

• Employers should assess hazards and ensure workers (operators and spotters) are competent to perform these tasks. See OSHA's interpretation about employers' responsibility to assess hazards before selecting controls and PPE in the PPE hazard assessment LOI.
• Practical steps: provide training on judging clearances, use of communication devices, and company procedures for travel near power lines.

If speed could affect clearance, the employer must consider those effects and take steps so the Table T minimum clearances are not breached — for example, lowering the boom/mast more, using a spotter, or choosing a different route. See 1926.1411(b)(1) and 1926.1411(b)(3).

• Do not rely on increased speed if it causes bounce or sway that reduces clearance below Table T distances.

Yes. When traveling at night or in poor visibility, employers must ensure that the power lines are illuminated or another means of identifying line location is used. See 1926.1411(b)(5)(i).

• Use floodlights, reflective markers, flags, or other reliable methods so operators and spotters can recognize and maintain the required clearance.

Employers must identify a safe path of travel and ensure boom/mast position, speed, terrain effects, and spotter usage will maintain the Table T clearances. See 1926.1411(b)(2)-(3) and (b)(5)(ii).

• Evaluate the route in advance for slopes, obstacles, or soft ground that could affect equipment movement.
• Set procedures to lower booms, use dedicated spotters when required, and mark or illuminate lines in poor visibility.

Yes. Nothing in 1926.1411 prevents an employer from using larger clearance distances than those listed in Table T; the standard sets minimums employers must maintain. See 1926.1411(b)(2).

• Using larger clearances can be a prudent and compliant practice when site conditions, equipment characteristics, or uncertainty make the Table T distances insufficient.

1926.1411 requires that the clearances in Table T be maintained while traveling under or near power lines; the rule's language covers any part of the equipment relative to the power line location, which includes overhead and nearby lateral lines. See 1926.1411.

• Employers should identify all power line locations near the planned travel path (overhead and adjacent) and maintain the applicable Table T clearances.

If operations involve traveling with a load, the employer must follow the appropriate loaded-travel standards—[1926.1408], [1926.1409], or [1926.1410]—and [1926.1417(u)] rather than 1926.1411. See 1926.1411(a).

• Identify whether the operation is covered by 1926.1408, 1926.1409, or 1926.1410 and apply those clearance requirements and procedures accordingly.
• Ensure operators are following the correct standard for the specific activity (loaded vs. unloaded travel).