OSHA general industry electric power generation, transmission and distribution study guide

Section 1910.269 covers the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission and distribution lines and equipment.

“This section covers the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

At an electric power generating station, it also covers fuel and ash handling installations, water and steam installations that provide a source of energy for the generators, and chlorine and hydrogen systems.

“(B) Other installations at an electric power generating station, as follows: (1) Fuel and ash handling and processing installations, such as coal conveyors, (2) Water and steam installations, such as penstocks, pipelines, and tanks, providing a source of energy for electric generators, and (3) Chlorine and hydrogen systems;”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

A note to 1910.269(a)(1)(i)(A) says the installations covered by that paragraph include the generation, transmission and distribution installations of electric utilities, as well as equivalent installations of industrial establishments, and that Subpart S covers supplementary electric generating equipment used to supply a workplace for emergency, standby or similar purposes only.

“The types of installations covered by this paragraph include the generation, transmission, and distribution installations of electric utilities, as well as equivalent installations of industrial establishments. Subpart S of this part covers supplementary electric generating equipment that is used to supply a workplace for emergency, standby, or similar purposes only.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

A note to the definition of line-clearance tree trimming says the section applies only to tree trimming done to clear space around electric power generation, transmission or distribution lines or equipment and on behalf of an organization that operates, or controls the operating procedures for, those lines or equipment.

“This section applies only to line-clearance tree trimming performed for the purpose of clearing space around electric power generation, transmission, or distribution lines or equipment and on behalf of an organization that operates, or that controls the operating procedures for, those lines or equipment.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

When that line-clearance tree trimming is done by qualified employees (those knowledgeable in the construction and operation of the equipment involved, along with the associated hazards), the entire section applies except paragraph (r)(1).

“Entire § 1910.269, except paragraph (r)(1) of this section, applies to line-clearance tree trimming covered by the introductory text to paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of the section when performed by qualified employees (those who are knowledgeable in the construction and operation of the electric power generation, transmission, or distribution equipment involved, along with the associated hazards).”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

When line-clearance tree trimming covered by the section is done by line-clearance tree trimmers who are not qualified employees, paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (b), (c), (g), (k), (p) and (r) apply to it.

“Paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (b), (c), (g), (k), (p), and (r) of this section apply to line-clearance tree trimming covered by the introductory text to paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section when performed by line-clearance tree trimmers who are not qualified employees.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

One of the exclusions in 1910.269(a)(1)(ii): the section does not apply to construction work as defined in 1910.12, except for line-clearance tree trimming and work involving electric power generation installations as specified in 1926.950(a)(3).

“Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, § 1910.269 of this part does not apply: (A) To construction work, as defined in § 1910.12 of this part, except for line-clearance tree trimming and work involving electric power generation installations as specified in § 1926.950(a)(3) of this chapter; or”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Each employee must also be trained in and familiar with any other safety practices, including applicable emergency procedures such as pole-top and manhole rescue, that the section does not specifically address but that are related to his or her work and necessary for his or her safety.

“Each employee shall also be trained in and familiar with any other safety practices, including applicable emergency procedures (such as pole-top and manhole rescue), that are not specifically addressed by this section but that are related to his or her work and are necessary for his or her safety.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The degree of training is set by the risk to the employee for the hazard involved.

“The degree of training shall be determined by the risk to the employee for the hazard involved.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

A note says that, for this section, a person must have the training required by paragraph (a)(2)(ii) to be considered a qualified person.

“For the purposes of this section, a person must have the training required by paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section to be considered a qualified person.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The employer must determine, through regular supervision and through inspections at least once a year, that each employee is complying with the required safety-related work practices.

“The employer shall determine, through regular supervision and through inspections conducted on at least an annual basis, that each employee is complying with the safety-related work practices required by this section.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

A note to 1910.269(a)(2)(v)(C), which requires additional training when an employee must use safety-related work practices not normally used in his or her regular job duties, says OSHA considers tasks performed less often than once per year to need retraining before the work practices are performed.

“(C) If he or she must employ safety-related work practices that are not normally used during his or her regular job duties. Note to paragraph (a)(2)(v)(C): The Occupational Safety and Health Administration considers tasks that are performed less often than once per year to necessitate retraining before the performance of the work practices involved.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

A contract employer must tell the host employer about unanticipated hazardous conditions it finds that the host employer did not mention, within 2 working days after discovering them.

“The contract employer shall advise the host employer of any unanticipated hazardous conditions found during the contract employer's work that the host employer did not mention under paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. The contract employer shall provide this information to the host employer within 2 working days after discovering the hazardous condition.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Existing characteristics and conditions of electric lines and equipment related to the safety of the work must be determined before work on or near them starts.

“Existing characteristics and conditions of electric lines and equipment that are related to the safety of the work to be performed shall be determined before work on or near the lines or equipment is started.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

When employees work on, or in connection with, exposed lines or equipment energized at 50 volts or more, field work involving two or more employees at a work location needs at least two persons with first-aid training available. (The same paragraph allows one trained person for line-clearance tree trimming by non-qualified trimmers if all new employees are trained in first aid within 3 months of hire.)

“When employees are performing work on, or associated with, exposed lines or equipment energized at 50 volts or more, persons with first-aid training shall be available as follows: (i) For field work involving two or more employees at a work location, at least two trained persons shall be available. However, for line-clearance tree trimming performed by line-clearance tree trimmers who are not qualified employees, only one trained person need be available if all new employees are trained in first aid within 3 months of their hiring dates.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Under the same 50-volt condition, at fixed work locations such as substations there must be enough trained persons for each employee exposed to electric shock to be reached within 4 minutes by a trained person. Where there are too few employees for this (at a remote substation, for example), each employee at the work location must be a trained employee.

“For fixed work locations such as substations, the number of trained persons available shall be sufficient to ensure that each employee exposed to electric shock can be reached within 4 minutes by a trained person. However, where the existing number of employees is insufficient to meet this requirement (at a remote substation, for example), each employee at the work location shall be a trained employee.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The employer must maintain each first-aid kit, ensure it is readily available for use, inspect it often enough that expended items are replaced, and also inspect each first-aid kit at least once per year.

“The employer shall maintain each first-aid kit, shall ensure that it is readily available for use, and shall inspect it frequently enough to ensure that expended items are replaced. The employer also shall inspect each first aid kit at least once per year.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The job briefing must cover at least the hazards of the job, work procedures, special precautions, energy-source controls and personal protective equipment requirements.

“The briefing shall cover at least the following subjects: hazards associated with the job, work procedures involved, special precautions, energy-source controls, and personal protective equipment requirements.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

If the work during the day or shift is repetitive and similar, at least one job briefing must be held before the start of the first job of each day or shift, and additional briefings must be held if significant changes that might affect employee safety occur during the work.

“If the work or operations to be performed during the work day or shift are repetitive and similar, at least one job briefing shall be conducted before the start of the first job of each day or shift. (ii) Additional job briefings shall be held if significant changes, which might affect the safety of the employees, occur during the course of the work.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

A brief discussion is satisfactory if the work is routine and the employees, by training and experience, can reasonably be expected to recognize and avoid its hazards.

“A brief discussion is satisfactory if the work involved is routine and if the employees, by virtue of training and experience, can reasonably be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards involved in the job.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

An employee working alone need not conduct a job briefing, but the employer must ensure the tasks are planned as if a briefing were required.

“An employee working alone need not conduct a job briefing. However, the employer shall ensure that the tasks to be performed are planned as if a briefing were required.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Paragraph (e) applies to routine entry into enclosed spaces in place of the permit-space entry requirements of 1910.146(d) through (k). If the hazards remaining after the precautions in paragraphs (e) and (t) endanger an entrant's life or could interfere with escape, entry must meet those permit-space requirements.

“This paragraph applies to routine entry into enclosed spaces in lieu of the permit-space entry requirements contained in paragraphs (d) through (k) of § 1910.146. If, after the employer takes the precautions given in paragraphs (e) and (t) of this section, the hazards remaining in the enclosed space endanger the life of an entrant or could interfere with an entrant's escape from the space, then entry into the enclosed space shall meet the permit-space entry requirements of paragraphs (d) through (k) of § 1910.146.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Before an entrance cover is removed, the employer must check for atmospheric pressure or temperature differences and evaluate whether there might be a hazardous atmosphere. Unsafe conditions must be eliminated before the cover is removed.

“Before any entrance cover to an enclosed space is removed, the employer shall determine whether it is safe to do so by checking for the presence of any atmospheric pressure or temperature differences and by evaluating whether there might be a hazardous atmosphere in the space. Any conditions making it unsafe to remove the cover shall be eliminated before the cover is removed.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Before entry, the atmosphere must be tested for oxygen deficiency with a direct-reading meter or similar instrument. If continuous forced-air ventilation is provided, testing is not required provided the procedures ensure employees are not exposed to oxygen-deficiency hazards.

“Before an employee enters an enclosed space, the atmosphere in the enclosed space shall be tested for oxygen deficiency with a direct-reading meter or similar instrument, capable of collection and immediate analysis of data samples without the need for off-site evaluation. If continuous forced-air ventilation is provided, testing is not required provided that the procedures used ensure that employees are not exposed to the hazards posed by oxygen deficiency.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Before an employee enters an enclosed space, the internal atmosphere must also be tested for flammable gases and vapors with a direct-reading meter or similar instrument. This test is done after the oxygen testing and ventilation required by 1910.269(e)(9) show there is enough oxygen for the flammability test to be accurate.

“Before an employee enters an enclosed space, the internal atmosphere shall be tested for flammable gases and vapors with a direct-reading meter or similar instrument capable of collection and immediate analysis of data samples without the need for off-site evaluation. This test shall be performed after the oxygen testing and ventilation required by paragraph (e)(9) of this section demonstrate that there is sufficient oxygen to ensure the accuracy of the test for flammability.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The employer must ensure that employees use a ladder or other climbing device to enter and exit a manhole or subsurface vault more than 1.22 meters (4 feet) deep, and no employee may climb into or out of a manhole or vault by stepping on cables or hangers.

“The employer shall ensure that employees use a ladder or other climbing device to enter and exit a manhole or subsurface vault exceeding 1.22 meters (4 feet) in depth. No employee may climb into or out of a manhole or vault by stepping on cables or hangers.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

While work is done in a manhole or vault containing energized electric equipment, an employee with first-aid training must be available on the surface near the entrance to give emergency assistance.

“While work is being performed in a manhole or vault containing energized electric equipment, an employee with first-aid training shall be available on the surface in the immediate vicinity of the manhole or vault entrance to render emergency assistance.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The employer must treat oil or compound leaking from cable or joints, broken cable sheaths or joint sleeves, hot localized surface temperatures, and joints swollen beyond normal tolerance as indications of impending faults, unless it can demonstrate the conditions could not lead to a fault.

“The employer shall treat the following abnormalities as indications of impending faults unless the employer can demonstrate that the conditions could not lead to a fault: Oil or compound leaking from cable or joints, broken cable sheaths or joint sleeves, hot localized surface temperatures of cables or joints, or joints swollen beyond normal tolerance.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

When employees work on buried cable or on cable in a manhole or vault, the employer must maintain metallic-sheath continuity, or the cable sheath must be treated as energized.

“When employees perform work on buried cable or on cable in a manhole or vault, the employer shall maintain metallic-sheath continuity, or the cable sheath shall be treated as energized.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Work-positioning equipment must be inspected before use each day, and equipment that is not in safe working condition may not be used.

“Work-positioning equipment shall be inspected before use each day to determine that the equipment is in safe working condition. Work-positioning equipment that is not in safe working condition may not be used.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Each employee working from an aerial lift must use either a travel restraint system or a personal fall arrest system.

“Each employee working from an aerial lift shall use a travel restraint system or a personal fall arrest system.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

On and after April 1, 2015, each qualified employee climbing or changing location on poles, towers or similar structures must use fall protection equipment, unless the employer can demonstrate that doing so with fall protection is infeasible or creates a greater hazard.

“On and after April 1, 2015, each qualified employee climbing or changing location on poles, towers, or similar structures must use fall protection equipment unless the employer can demonstrate that climbing or changing location with fall protection is infeasible or creates a greater hazard than climbing or changing location without it.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

A note says these pole and tower fall protection paragraphs apply to structures that support overhead transmission and distribution lines and equipment, not to parts of buildings such as loading docks or to equipment such as transformers and capacitors.

“These paragraphs apply to structures that support overhead electric power transmission and distribution lines and equipment. They do not apply to portions of buildings, such as loading docks, or to electric equipment, such as transformers and capacitors.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Portable metal or other conductive ladders may not be used near exposed energized lines or equipment. In specialized high-voltage work, conductive ladders must be used when the employer demonstrates that nonconductive ladders would be a greater hazard.

“Portable metal ladders and other portable conductive ladders may not be used near exposed energized lines or equipment. However, in specialized high-voltage work, conductive ladders shall be used when the employer demonstrates that nonconductive ladders would present a greater hazard to employees than conductive ladders.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Employers must ensure employees do not use any part of their bodies to locate, or try to stop, a hydraulic leak.

“Employers must ensure that employees do not use any part of their bodies to locate, or attempt to stop, a hydraulic leak.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Each live-line tool must be wiped clean and visually inspected for defects before use each day.

“Each live-line tool shall be wiped clean and visually inspected for defects before use each day.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The critical safety components of mechanical elevating and rotating equipment must get a thorough visual inspection before use on each shift.

“The critical safety components of mechanical elevating and rotating equipment shall receive a thorough visual inspection before use on each shift.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The operator of an electric line truck may not leave the controls while a load is suspended, unless the employer can demonstrate that no employee, including the operator, is endangered.

“The operator of an electric line truck may not leave his or her position at the controls while a load is suspended, unless the employer can demonstrate that no employee (including the operator) is endangered.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

To protect employees from falling into holes for poles, the employer must physically guard the holes, or ensure employees attend them, whenever anyone is working nearby.

“To protect employees from falling into holes used for placing poles, the employer shall physically guard the holes, or ensure that employees attend the holes, whenever anyone is working nearby.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Before employees install lines parallel to existing energized lines, the employer must determine the approximate voltage to be induced in the new lines, or work must proceed on the assumption that the induced voltage is hazardous.

“Before employees install lines parallel to existing energized lines, the employer shall make a determination of the approximate voltage to be induced in the new lines, or work shall proceed on the assumption that the induced voltage is hazardous.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

When overhead lines are installed or removed, the employer must ensure that employees maintain reliable communications, through two-way radios or other equivalent means, between the reel tender and the pulling-rig operator.

“The employer shall ensure that employees maintain reliable communications, through two-way radios or other equivalent means, between the reel tender and the pulling-rig operator.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

For work on towers or other structures that support overhead lines, the employer must ensure that no employee is under a tower or structure while work is in progress, except when the employer can demonstrate that such a working position is necessary to assist employees working above.

“The following requirements apply to work performed on towers or other structures that support overhead lines. (i) The employer shall ensure that no employee is under a tower or structure while work is in progress, except when the employer can demonstrate that such a working position is necessary to assist employees working above.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The electrical hazards paragraph (r)(1) does not apply to qualified employees. Under it, the nominal voltage of power lines posing a hazard must be determined before an employee climbs, enters or works around any tree; the maximum nominal voltage may be determined instead if all lines are considered energized at that voltage.

“This paragraph does not apply to qualified employees. (i) Before an employee climbs, enters, or works around any tree, a determination shall be made of the nominal voltage of electric power lines posing a hazard to employees. However, a determination of the maximum nominal voltage to which an employee will be exposed may be made instead, if all lines are considered as energized at this maximum voltage.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

A second line-clearance tree trimmer must be within normal (unassisted) voice communication in listed conditions, one of which is when a trimmer is to approach closer than 3.05 meters (10 feet) to any conductor or apparatus energized at more than 750 volts.

“There shall be a second line-clearance tree trimmer within normal (that is, unassisted) voice communication under any of the following conditions: (A) If a line-clearance tree trimmer is to approach more closely than 3.05 meters (10 feet) to any conductor or electric apparatus energized at more than 750 volts or”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Brush chippers must have a locking device in the ignition system.

“Brush chippers shall be equipped with a locking device in the ignition system.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Rope must be inspected before each use and, if unsafe (for example, because of damage or defect), may not be used.

“Rope shall be inspected before each use and, if unsafe (for example, because of damage or defect), may not be used.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Climbing rope may not be spliced to effect repair.

“Climbing rope may not be spliced to effect repair.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Each employee working above the ground in a tree must be tied in with a climbing rope and safety saddle, unless he or she is ascending into the tree.

“Each employee shall be tied in with a climbing rope and safety saddle when the employee is working above the ground in a tree, unless he or she is ascending into the tree.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The employer must ensure that, when employees remove or insert draw-out-type circuit breakers, the breaker is in the open position, and the employer must also render the control circuit inoperable if the design of the equipment permits.

“The employer shall ensure that, when employees remove or insert draw-out-type circuit breakers, the breaker is in the open position. The employer shall also render the control circuit inoperable if the design of the equipment permits.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

On entering an attended substation, each employee other than those regularly working there must report to the employee in charge of substation activities to receive information on special system conditions affecting safety.

“Upon entering an attended substation, each employee, other than employees regularly working in the station, shall report his or her presence to the employee in charge of substation activities to receive information on special system conditions affecting employee safety.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Before exciter or generator brushes are changed while the generator is in service, the field must be checked for a ground condition, and the brushes may not be changed while the generator is energized if a ground condition exists.

“Before exciter or generator brushes are changed while the generator is in service, the exciter or generator field shall be checked to determine whether a ground condition exists. The brushes may not be changed while the generator is energized if a ground condition exists.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Under the turbine generator provisions of 1910.269(v)(10), excessive hydrogen makeup or abnormal loss of pressure must be considered an emergency and must be corrected immediately.

“Excessive hydrogen makeup or abnormal loss of pressure shall be considered as an emergency and shall be corrected immediately.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Employees may not ride a coal- or ash-handling conveyor belt at any time, and may cross over it only at walkways unless its energy source has been deenergized and locked out or tagged under paragraph (d).

“Employees may not ride a coal- or ash-handling conveyor belt at any time. Employees may not cross over the conveyor belt, except at walkways, unless the conveyor's energy source has been deenergized and has been locked out or tagged in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Before employees work on capacitors, the employer must disconnect the capacitors from energized sources and short circuit them, and must ensure that the employee short circuiting the capacitors waits at least 5 minutes from the time of disconnection before applying the short circuit.

“Before employees work on capacitors, the employer shall disconnect the capacitors from energized sources and short circuit the capacitors. The employer shall ensure that the employee short circuiting the capacitors waits at least 5 minutes from the time of disconnection before applying the short circuit,”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

The employer must ensure that employees do not open the secondary of a current transformer while the transformer is energized. If the employer cannot deenergize the primary before employees work on an instrument, a relay or other section of the secondary circuit, the employer must bridge the circuit so the secondary does not experience an open-circuit condition.

“The employer shall ensure that employees do not open the secondary of a current transformer while the transformer is energized. If the employer cannot deenergize the primary of the current transformer before employees perform work on an instrument, a relay, or other section of a current transformer secondary circuit, the employer shall bridge the circuit so that the current transformer secondary does not experience an open-circuit condition.”

29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution