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DOL/OSHA RIN: 1218-AB67 Publication ID: Fall 2013 
Title: Electric Power Transmission and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment 
Abstract: Electrical hazards are a major cause of occupational death in the United States. The annual fatality rate for power line workers is about 50 deaths per 100,000 employees. The construction industry standard addressing the safety of these workers during the construction of electric power transmission and distribution lines is nearly 40 years old. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a revision of this standard that will prevent many of these fatalities, add flexibility to the standard, and update and streamline the standard. OSHA also intends to amend the corresponding standard for general industry so that requirements for work performed during the maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution installations are the same as those for similar work in construction. In addition, OSHA will be revising a few miscellaneous general industry requirements primarily affecting electric transmission and distribution work, including provisions on electrical protective equipment and foot protection. This rulemaking also addresses fall protection in aerial lifts for work on power generation, transmission, and distribution installations. OSHA published an NPRM on June 15, 2005. A public hearing was held from March 6 through March 14, 2006. OSHA reopened the record to gather additional information on minimum approach distances for specific ranges of voltages. The record was reopened a second time to allow more time for comment and to gather information on minimum approach distances for all voltages and on the newly revised Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers consensus standard. Additionally, a public hearing was held on October 28, 2009. 
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)  Priority: Economically Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: Yes  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1910.136 to 1910.137    29 CFR 1910.269    29 CFR 1926, subpart V    29 CFR 1926.97     (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b)    40 USC 333   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
SBREFA Report  06/30/2003    
NPRM  06/15/2005  70 FR 34821   
NPRM Comment Period End  10/13/2005    
Comment Period Extended to 01/11/2006  10/12/2005  70 FR 59290   
Public Hearing To Be Held 03/06/2006  10/12/2005  70 FR 59290   
Posthearing Comment Period End  07/14/2006    
Reopen Record  10/22/2008  73 FR 62942   
Comment Period End  11/21/2008    
Close Record  11/21/2008    
Second Reopening Record  09/14/2009  74 FR 46958   
Comment Period End  10/15/2009    
Public Hearings  10/28/2009    
Posthearing Comment Period End  02/10/2010    
Final Rule  11/00/2013 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: Local 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
William Perry
Director, Directorate of Standards and Guidance
Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718,
Washington, DC 20210
Phone:202 693-1950
Fax:202 693-1678
Email: perry.bill@dol.gov