1926.960 Energized Power Line Work: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Part of the electric power transmission and distribution standard for construction, this section governs work on or near exposed energized lines and equipment. Only qualified employees may work near energized parts, minimum approach distances must be maintained, and employers must assess workers' exposure to electric arcs, estimate incident energy, and provide arc-rated clothing and other protection. It applies to utilities and line contractors.
What the standard requires
- Permit only qualified employees to work on energized lines
- Maintain established minimum approach distances
- Assess arc flash hazards and estimate incident energy
- Provide arc-rated protective clothing and equipment
Hazards it addresses
- Electrocution from contact with high-voltage lines
- Arc flash burns
- Falls following electric shock
Cited among electric utilities and power line construction contractors.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.960(c)(1)(iii) | Employer must establish and ensure employees maintain minimum approach distances. | 4 | 4 | $12,909 |
| 1926.960(b)(1)(i) | 3 | 3 | $11,585 | |
| 1926.960(c)(1)(i) | Employer must establish and ensure employees maintain minimum approach distances. | 3 | 3 | $3,972 |
| 1926.960(c)(1)(ii) | Employer must establish and ensure employees maintain minimum approach distances. | 2 | 2 | $11,585 |
| 1926.960(d)(1) | 2 | 2 | $3,500 | |
| 1926.960(b)(2) | 1 | 1 | $6,300 | |
| 1926.960(c)(1)(iii)(A) | Employer must establish and ensure employees maintain minimum approach distances. | 1 | 1 | $8,513 |
| 1926.960(c)(1)(iii)(B) | Employer must establish and ensure employees maintain minimum approach distances. | 1 | 1 | $7,000 |
| 1926.960(c)(2)(i) | 1 | 1 | $16,550 | |
| 1926.960(c)(2)(ii)(B) | 1 | 1 | $7,000 | |
| 1926.960(d)(2) | 1 | 1 | $0 | |
| 1926.960(g)(1) | Employer must assess the workplace to identify employees exposed to flames or electric arc hazards. | 1 | 1 | $11,585 |
Penalties
Across 21 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $179,798 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $159,001, 12% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 100%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 5 | 10 | $123,463 | $108,171 |
| Florida | 2 | 2 | $25,063 | $21,658 |
| Michigan | 2 | 5 | $13,300 | $11,200 |
| Montana | 2 | 2 | $3,972 | $3,972 |
| Kentucky | 1 | 2 | $14,000 | $14,000 |
By industry
- Construction: 9 inspections
- Utilities: 3 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grip Electric | Midland, TX | Jul 7, 2026 | 2 | $23,170 | $11,585 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| B.B. Glass, Inc. | Butte, MT | May 18, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hunter Brothers Construction | Butte, MT | May 18, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| LG-E and KU Energy LLC | Goshen, KY | Apr 29, 2026 | 2 | $14,000 | $14,000 | ContestedAbatement due May 18, 2026Contested May 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Power Solutions Services LLC | Marion, TX | Apr 23, 2026 | 2 | $23,170 | $23,170 | Final orderAbatement due May 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Southeast Power Corporation Western | Marion, TX | Apr 23, 2026 | 3 | $34,755 | $34,755 | ContestedAbatement due May 19, 2026Contested Jun 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Newtron Beaumont, LLC | Port Arthur, TX | Apr 2, 2026 | 2 | $33,100 | $33,100 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 8, 2026Contested Apr 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| The Hydaker-Wheatlake Company | Lansing, MI | Apr 2, 2026 | 4 | $6,300 | $6,300 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 21, 2026Contested Jun 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Scott Pole Line, LLC | Stephenville, TX | Mar 24, 2026 | 1 | $9,268 | $5,561 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Primoris T&D Services LLC | Seminole, FL | Feb 10, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | ContestedAbatement due Mar 9, 2026Contested Mar 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Peace River Electric Cooperative, Inc. | Wauchula, FL | Dec 30, 2025 | 1 | $8,513 | $5,108 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| State Line Construction and Maintenance LLC | Lincoln Park, MI | Nov 20, 2025 | 1 | $7,000 | $4,900 | Formal settlementAbatement due Sep 24, 2024Contested Nov 7, 2024 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.21 Construction Safety Training (1 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.960 require?
Part of the electric power transmission and distribution standard for construction, this section governs work on or near exposed energized lines and equipment. Only qualified employees may work near energized parts, minimum approach distances must be maintained, and employers must assess workers' exposure to electric arcs, estimate incident energy, and provide arc-rated clothing and other protection. It applies to utilities and line contractors.
How often was 1926.960 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.960 (Energized Power Line Work) appeared in 12 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 21 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.960 is cited most?
1926.960(c)(1)(iii) was the most-cited paragraph, with 4 items: Employer must establish and ensure employees maintain minimum approach distances.
Which states cite 1926.960 most often?
The most citations under 1926.960 in this period were issued in Texas, Florida, Michigan.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.960 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $9,268; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $7,000. Totals: $179,798 proposed, $159,001 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.960 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 62% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.