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Electrical protective equipment near energized lines

Summary A contractor asked what protective equipment is suitable when mechanical equipment works near energized lines. OSHA said insulating items such as rubber gloves, blankets, and live-line tools must withstand any voltage that could reach the equipment. The cited protective-equipment duty applies alongside another construction electrical-safety requirement.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1997-04-15
Date issued
April 15, 1997
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Electrical Safety Personal Protective Equipment
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

April 15, 1997

Mr. Allen Salyer
Director of Safety
Dycom Industries, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Salyer:

This is in response to your letter of December 17, 1996 requesting an OSHA interpretation of Section 1926.955(a)(6)(i), in particular what constitutes "suitable protective equipment."

The protective equipment to which Section 1926.955(a)(6)(i) refers is electrical protective equipment, such as rubber insulating gloves, rubber insulating blankets, and live-line tools, that will insulate employees from mechanical equipment or machinery which, because of the proximity to energized lines, might contact the lines and become energized. The equipment being used must be capable of withstanding any voltage which can be impressed on the mechanical equipment involved. The requirements in Section 1926.955(a)(6)(i) must be met in addition to those in Section 1926.952(c)(2).

If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again by writing to:

  • Directorate of Construction-OSHA
    office of Construction Standards
    and Compliance Assistance
    Room N3621
    200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20210

Sincerely,

Russell B. Swanson, Director
Directorate of Construction

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