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Securing a transmission tower while suspended by helicopter

Summary A requester asked whether OSHA's ground-lines rule prevented a helicopter from positioning a two-legged electrical transmission tower. OSHA said it did not. The agency said some base bolts could be secured while the helicopter held the tower, providing support until the aircraft was free and the structure was finally secured.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1975-01-27
Date issued
January 27, 1975
Status
Active
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Helicopters Electrical Safety
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

January 27, 1975

Mr. Bruce Michael Cross
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Mr. Cross:

Assistant Secretary John Stender has asked me to reply to your letter of January 3, 1975, which requested an interpretation of Section 29 CFR 1926.551(l), "Ground Lines."

A review of 29 CFR 1926.551(l) does not preclude the use of a helicopter to set in place a two-legged electrical transmission tower and to secure it to the point of attachment. 29 CFR 1926.551(l) relates to any attempt to maintain support, such as guy lines to fixed structures, while the load is being secured to the base. It is permissible for the purpose of securing the tower to the base that some bolts can be secured in the base to provide sufficient pre-support until the helicopter is free and the structure is finally secured.

The interest of 29 CFR 1926.551(l) is to prevent placing the safety of the helicopter and ground crews in jeopardy.

Sincerely,
Barry J. White
Associate Assistant Secretary for
Regional Programs

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