Overhead Power Line Clearance - Cal/OSHA

Ask a crew how close they can get to a power line and you will hear "10 feet," "20 feet," or "it depends." In California, "it depends" is the only correct answer. Title 8 sets different minimum clearances for people and hand-held work, for boom-type equipment and stored material, and a separate planning rule for cranes — and the California crane table does not match the federal one row for row. This Cal/OSHA Overhead Power Line Clearances Toolbox Talk lays out which California number applies to what, so nobody on the job carries the wrong one.

Where the boundary of this talk sits#

This talk covers California's minimum clearance rules for overhead high-voltage lines. How electricity arcs, what to do after contact, and general overhead line awareness belong to the overhead power lines talk. Crane operation and aerial lift use belong to their own talks.

The anchor#

Here is the distinction that carries this whole talk: in California the clearance from an overhead line depends on what is moving toward it, not just on the voltage — Section 2946's Table 1 sets 6 feet for people, tools, scaffolds, and materials near lines up to 50,000 volts; its Table 2 sets 10 feet for boom-type lifting or hoisting equipment and stored material at the same voltage; and cranes also fall under Section 5003.1's 20-foot planning rule with its own Table A — so "10 feet" is a boom and crane number, not a rule for everything, and a crew that borrows the federal crane table is using ranges California drew differently.

Section 2946 applies to every employer#

Section 2946(a) says no person, firm, or corporation, or agent of same, shall require or permit any employee to perform any function in proximity to energized high-voltage lines without guarding against accidental contact. It is not a utility-only rule. It covers the general contractor, the scaffold erector, the roofer, the sign installer, and the crane company alike.

Table 1: people, tools, scaffolds, and materials#

Section 2946(b)(2) prohibits the operation, erection, handling, or transportation of tools, machinery, materials, structures, or scaffolds, the moving of any building, or any other activity where any part of those or any part of an employee's body will come closer to energized overhead lines than the Table 1 clearances:

• 600 to 50,000 volts: 6 feet
• over 50,000 to 345,000 volts: 10 feet
• over 345,000 to 750,000 volts: 16 feet
• over 750,000 to 1,000,000 volts: 20 feet

A painter extending a roller pole, a laborer carrying a length of conduit on his shoulder, and a scaffold being moved all fall under Table 1.

Table 2: boom-type equipment and stored material#

Section 2946(b)(3) prohibits the erection, operation, or dismantling of any boom-type lifting or hoisting equipment closer than the Table 2 clearances. Section 2946(b)(4) prohibits storing tools, machinery, equipment, supplies, materials, or apparatus under, by, or near energized overhead lines if it is possible, during handling, to bring any of it closer than the Table 2 clearances.

• 600 to 50,000 volts: 10 feet
• over 50,000 to 75,000 volts: 11 feet
• over 75,000 to 125,000 volts: 13 feet
• over 125,000 to 175,000 volts: 15 feet
• over 175,000 to 250,000 volts: 17 feet
• over 250,000 to 370,000 volts: 21 feet
• over 370,000 to 550,000 volts: 27 feet
• over 550,000 to 1,000,000 volts: 42 feet

Boom-type equipment in transit with the boom lowered and no load follows the smaller Table 1 distances.

The storage rule is the one most often missed. Stacking rebar, pipe, or lumber under a line is a violation if someone could later swing, lift, or tip it closer than the Table 2 distance while handling it.

A designated observer, and protective devices#

Section 2946(e) says a person shall be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where site conditions or crane configurations make it difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means. Section 2946(f) allows cage-type boom guards, insulating links, or proximity warning devices on cranes, but says using them does not alter the requirements of any other section of the safety orders, even if the device is required by law or regulation. A boom guard is an extra layer, not a reason to get closer.

Cranes: the 20-foot planning rule#

Since July 26, 2022, Section 5003.1 sets power line rules for cranes and hoisting equipment under Group 13 for lines up to and including 350 kV. Before work begins, the employer identifies the work zone and determines whether any part of the equipment, load line, or load could get closer than 20 feet to a power line at maximum working radius. If it could, the employer must either confirm with the utility that the line has been de-energized and visibly grounded, keep everything at least 20 feet away, or determine the voltage and keep the clearances in Table A, backed by encroachment prevention measures that include a planning meeting, non-conductive tag lines if tag lines are used, an elevated warning line, barricade, or line of signs, and at least one of a dedicated spotter, a range control warning device, or a range limiting device.

California's Table A:

• up to 50 kV: 10 feet
• over 50 to 175 kV: 15 feet
• over 175 to 350 kV: 20 feet
• over 350 to 550 kV: 27 feet
• over 550 to 1,000 kV: 45 feet
• over 1,000 kV: as established by the utility owner/operator or a registered professional engineer

Neither Section 2946 nor Section 5003.1 says that one replaces the other for cranes, so a crane lift near a line should be planned so both are met.

California versus federal#

The federal crane rule, 29 CFR 1926.1408, uses the same three options and the same 20-foot starting point. Its Table A breaks the voltages differently: 10 feet up to 50 kV, 15 feet over 50 to 200 kV, 20 feet over 200 to 350 kV, 25 feet over 350 to 500 kV, 35 feet over 500 to 750 kV, and 45 feet over 750 to 1,000 kV. A 190 kV line is 15 feet in the federal table and 20 feet in California's. A 500 kV line is 25 feet federally and 27 feet in California. Crews that learned the federal table need to relearn it for California.

Where the duty sits#

8 CCR 2946 applies to all employers: (a) guard against contact; (b)(2) Table 1 for people, tools, materials, and scaffolds; (b)(3) Table 2 for boom-type equipment, with Table 1 in transit; (b)(4) Table 2 for storage; (e) designated observer; (f) protective devices do not relax other requirements. 8 CCR 5003.1 sets the crane planning rule, the 20-foot trigger, and California's Table A. For contrast, federal 29 CFR 1926.1408.

What can go wrong?#

• A laborer carries a 20-foot length of conduit on his shoulder under a 12 kV line.
• Rebar is stacked under a distribution line and later lifted by a forklift.
• A crane operator uses the federal Table A for a 190 kV line and stops at 15 feet.
• An operator can't see the line from the cab and nobody is designated to watch.
• A proximity alarm is treated as permission to work closer.

How do we manage this properly?#

• Know the voltage — ask the utility; don't guess from the pole.
• Table 1 for people and hand work — 6 feet up to 50,000 volts.
• Table 2 for booms and storage — 10 feet up to 50,000 volts, more above.
• Cranes: plan at 20 feet — and use California's Table A if working closer.
• Designate an observer — whenever the operator can't judge clearance by eye.
• Treat devices as backup — boom guards and alarms never reduce the distance.

Before you start#

Find every overhead line near today's work and its voltage. Decide which table applies to each task: people and tools, booms and storage, or crane planning. Mark the limits on the ground where you can.

Talk it over#

• What is the voltage of the nearest line, and who told us?
• Which clearance applies to what you're doing today?
• Who watches the line when the operator can't see it?

The bottom line#

California does not have one power line distance. Section 2946 sets 6 feet for people, tools, scaffolds, and materials near lines up to 50,000 volts, and 10 feet for booms and stored material, rising with voltage. Cranes also plan to Section 5003.1's 20-foot rule and California's own Table A, which is not the federal table. Know the voltage, know which table fits the task, and never treat a protective device as permission to get closer.

Frequently asked questions about California power line clearances#

Is the California clearance from a power line 6 feet or 10 feet?

Both, depending on what is near the line. Under Section 2946, Table 1 sets 6 feet for people, tools, materials, and scaffolds near lines from 600 to 50,000 volts, and Table 2 sets 10 feet for boom-type lifting or hoisting equipment and for stored material at the same voltage. Clearances increase with voltage in both tables.

Download the Cal/OSHA overhead power line clearances toolbox talk PDF#

Download this Cal/OSHA Overhead Power Line Clearances Toolbox Talk as a printable PDF in English and Spanish, and mark the clearances on the ground before work starts.

Related toolbox talks#

• Overhead Power Lines
• Crane Lifting
• Electrical Safety
• Aerial Boom Lift Safety

Sources#

• Cal/OSHA, Title 8 CCR §2946 — Provisions for Preventing Accidents Due to Proximity to Overhead Lines ((a) applies to any person, firm, or corporation; (b)(2) and Table 1: 6, 10, 16, 20 ft; (b)(3) and Table 2 for boom-type equipment: 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 27, 42 ft, Table 1 in transit with boom lowered and no load; (b)(4) storage to Table 2; (e) designated observer; (f) protective devices do not alter other requirements; (e)–(f) added 7-26-2022): https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/2946.html
• Cal/OSHA, Title 8 CCR §5003.1 — Power Line Safety (Up to and Including 350kV), Equipment Operations (work zone, 20-ft determination, de-energize and ground, 20 ft, or Table A: 10, 15, 20, 27, 45 ft; encroachment prevention measures; operative 7-26-2022): https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5003_1.html
• OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.1408 (federal crane power line options and Table A: 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, 45 ft): https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1408

Written by FieldSafetyTalk's safety professional — a CSP, ASP, CHST and OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer with 14+ years of international construction safety experience across federal, heavy civil, and industrial projects.

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