Alert: Due to routine maintenance on the OSHA website, some pages may be temporarily unavailable.
To report an emergency, file a complaint with OSHA or ask a safety and health question, call 800-321-6742 (OSHA).

eTools Home : Electric Power Overview | Scope | SH Topics Page | Credits
Electric Power eTool
<< Back to Previous

Minimum Approach Distances

Minimum approach distances ensure that workers do not approach or take any conductive object closer to the energized parts as set forth in the table below. See the link below for altitude correction factors to the minimum approach distances in the table. Changes in the weather have been factored into the minimum approach distances.

Figure 1. A schematic showing the minimum approach distance for a line worker. Depending on the voltage of the line (see the table below), a worker or a conductive object, must keep the minimum distance specified below between them and any energized part of the power line.
Figure 1. A schematic showing the minimum approach distance for a line worker. Depending on the voltage of the line (see the table below), a worker or a conductive object, must keep the minimum distance specified below between them and any energized part of the power line.


Nominal voltage in kilovolts Distance:
Phase to ground
exposure
0.05 to 1.0
1.1 to 15.0
15.1 to 36.0
36.1 to 46.0
46.1 to 72.5
72.6 to 121
138 to 145
161 to 169
230 to 242
345 to 362
500 to 550
764 to 800		 Avoid contact
2'-1" (0.64m)
2'-4" (0.72m)
2'-7" (0.77m)
3'-0" (0.90m)
3'-2" (0.95m)
3'-7" (1.09m)
4'-0" (1.22m)
5'-3" (1.59m)
8'-6" (2.59m)
11'-3" (3.42m)
14'-11" (4.53m)
Reference
Table R-6 in [1910.269(l)(10)]

Altitude Correction Factor for Minimum Approach Distance

Additional Information:
eTools Home : Electric Power Overview | Scope | SH Topics Page | Credits