Live-line tool requirements

An FRP live-line tool must withstand 328,100 volts per meter (100,000 volts per foot) of length for 5 minutes as a design requirement. See 1926.957(a)(1).

• Tools made of FRP that meet ASTM F711-02 (2007), Standard Specification for Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Rod and Tube Used in Live Line Tools, are explicitly deemed to comply with this requirement. See 1926.957(a)(1).

A wood live-line tool must withstand 246,100 volts per meter (75,000 volts per foot) of length for 3 minutes as a design requirement. See 1926.957(a)(2).

• This is the minimum design test for wooden poles or rods intended for live-line work.

Yes — the employer may use other tests if they can demonstrate those tests are equivalent to the specified design tests. See 1926.957(a)(3).

• If you choose an alternative test, document how it is equivalent (for example, comparative voltages, durations, or engineering analysis) so you can demonstrate compliance.

Each live-line tool must be wiped clean and visually inspected for defects before use each day. See 1926.957(b)(1).

• Wiping removes surface contamination; the visual inspection looks for cracks, gouges, burns, or other damage that could affect insulation or mechanical integrity.

If defects or contamination that could adversely affect insulating qualities or mechanical integrity remain after wiping, the tool must be removed from service and examined and tested according to paragraph (b)(3) before it is returned to service. See 1926.957(b)(2).

• Do not use the tool until it has been properly examined, cleaned, repaired (if possible), and tested per the biennial/testing procedures in 1926.957(b)(3).

Live-line tools used for primary employee protection must be removed from service every two years for a thorough examination; if a defect or contamination that could affect insulating or mechanical integrity is found, the tool must be repaired and refinished or permanently removed from service. If no such defect is found, the tool must be cleaned and waxed. See 1926.957(b)(3)(i)–(ii).

• "Primary employee protection" means the tool is relied on as the main insulating barrier between the employee and energized parts; these tools require the biennial removal, examination, and either repair or cleaning/waxing as described in 1926.957(b)(3).

A live-line tool must be tested after it has been repaired or refinished, and after the examination if repair or refinishing is not performed (with a limited exception for certain FRP tools if the employer can demonstrate no defect). See 1926.957(b)(3)(iii)(A)–(B).

• If the tool is an FRP rod or foam-filled FRP tube and you can demonstrate it has no defects that could cause failure during use, paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B) allows you to skip testing after the examination; otherwise, testing is required.

The test method must verify the tool's integrity along its entire working length and, for fiberglass-reinforced plastic tools, verify integrity under wet conditions. See 1926.957(b)(3)(iv).

• This means the testing procedure must detect faults anywhere along the usable length of the pole or rod and must include wet-condition testing for FRP so that moisture-related failures are identified.

For in-service tests, the standard requires applying: (A) 246,100 volts per meter (75,000 volts per foot) for 1 minute if the tool is made of fiberglass; or (B) 164,000 volts per meter (50,000 volts per foot) for 1 minute if the tool is made of wood. Other tests are allowed if the employer demonstrates they are equivalent. See 1926.957(b)(3)(v)(A)–(C).

• These in-service test voltages are lower than the higher design voltages specified in 1926.957(a).

To calculate the required test voltage, multiply the required volts-per-length by the tool's working length and apply for the specified test time. See 1926.957(b)(3)(v).

• Example for a 3-meter FRP tool under in-service testing: required voltage = 246,100 V/m × 3 m = 738,300 volts applied for 1 minute (per 1926.957(b)(3)(v)(A)).
• Example for a 3-meter wooden tool under in-service testing: required voltage = 164,000 V/m × 3 m = 492,000 volts applied for 1 minute (per 1926.957(b)(3)(v)(B)).

Yes — FRP rod and tube that meet ASTM F711-02 (2007) are deemed to comply with the FRP design test requirement in 1926.957(a)(1). See 1926.957(a)(1).

• Even when deemed to comply, employers should still perform the daily inspection and the required in-service tests described in 1926.957(b).

Potentially yes — if the tool is a foam-filled FRP tube and the employer can demonstrate that the tool has no defects that could cause it to fail during use, testing after the examination is not required under paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B). See 1926.957(b)(3)(iii)(B).

• Be prepared to document and demonstrate how you determined the tool has no defects that could cause failure during use if you rely on this exception.

"Tools used for primary employee protection" are live-line tools that are relied upon as the main insulating barrier protecting a worker from energized conductors, and they are subject to the biennial removal, examination, and testing requirements in [1926.957(b)(3)]. See 1926.957(b)(3).

• If a tool is used as the primary means of protection, it must be removed from service every 2 years (or sooner if defects are found) for examination, cleaning, repair, and testing as specified in 1926.957(b)(3).

They must be removed from service every two years for examination, cleaning, repair, and testing. See 1926.957(b)(3).

• Additionally, tools must be removed for testing whenever defects or contamination are found after daily wiping and inspection per 1926.957(b)(2).

Yes — the employer may use other tests if they can demonstrate those tests are equivalent to the specified tests for both design and in-service testing. See 1926.957(a)(3) and 1926.957(b)(3)(v)(C).

• The employer should document the equivalence (for example, engineering analysis, comparative test data, or accepted industry standards) so it can be demonstrated during inspections or audits.

After repair or refinishing, the live-line tool must be electrically tested using a method that verifies the tool's integrity along its entire working length (and under wet conditions for FRP) before returning it to service. See 1926.957(b)(3)(iii)(A) and 1926.957(b)(3)(iv).

• Do not return repaired/refinished tools to service until they pass the required in-service testing per 1926.957(b)(3)(v).

Testing under wet conditions means the in-service test procedure for FRP tools must include a wetting or simulated wet environment so the test verifies the tool's insulating integrity when wet. See 1926.957(b)(3)(iv).

• In practice, this often means applying the test voltage while the tool is wet (or using a standardized wetting protocol) to reveal moisture-related flaws that might not appear under dry testing.

If contamination such as oil or grease remains after wiping and could adversely affect insulating qualities, the tool must be removed from service and examined and tested according to [1926.957(b)(3)]. See 1926.957(b)(2).

• Contaminants that lower surface resistance or penetrate finishes can degrade insulation; do not return the tool to service until it passes the required examination and testing.

The live-line tool standard itself does not specify a required recordkeeping format or mandate retention of written records for the inspections and tests in [1926.957]. See 1926.957(b).

• Although the rule does not prescribe records, it is a best practice to document daily inspections, biennial removals, repairs, and electrical test results so you can demonstrate compliance and track tool history during audits or incidents.
• Employers are responsible for assessing hazards and selecting appropriate controls; see OSHA's interpretation on employer hazard assessment responsibilities for related guidance at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28.

The standard requires that the test method be designed to verify integrity along the entire working length (and wet conditions for FRP) but does not name a specific job title; employers must ensure tests are performed by a person or testing service qualified to execute and interpret those tests. See 1926.957(b)(3)(iv).

• Use competent personnel with experience in high-voltage live-line tool testing or an accredited testing service and retain documentation showing the tester's qualifications and the test method used.