Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution

Generation, transmission, and distribution installations include electric utilities and equivalent installations of industrial establishments. Other installations at an electric power generating station include:

  • Fuel and ash handling and processing installations, such as coal conveyors, water and steam installations, such as penstocks, pipelines, and tanks, providing a source of energy for electric generators, and chlorine and hydrogen systems.
  • Test sites where employees perform electrical testing involving temporary measurements associated with electric power generation, transmission, and distribution in laboratories, in the field, in substations, and on lines, as opposed to metering, relaying, and routine line work.
  • Work on, or directly associated with, the installations and line-clearance tree trimming performed for the purpose of clearing space around electric power generation, transmission, or distribution lines or equipment and on behalf of an organization that operates, or that controls the operating procedures for, those lines or equipment.
 
Subpart S of 29 CFR Part 1910 (General Industry) covers supplementary electric generating equipment that is used to supply a workplace for emergency, standby, or similar purposes only.  For more information on these requirements, reference the safety and health topic page for Electrical Safety.
 

Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution

Tab/Accordion Items

What are the hazards associated with electric power generation, transmission, and distribution? 

The most common hazards associated with the electric power industry are electrocutions, falls, fire and explosions, and slips, trips and falls. 

What can I do to protect myself?

Attend safety training on electrical hazards, confined spaces, fall protection and other relevant training applicable to the work being performed. Ensure that you follow all work procedures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment including rubber gloves and sleeves. 

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

The electrical safety-related work practices policy, lockout/tagout program, heat illness prevention program and confined space entry programs (general industry and construction) can be downloaded and customized to fit the individual workplace. An example PPE hazard assessment is available and can be customized to fit workplace conditions. Employers are required to perform a workplace hazard analysis to determine what personal protective equipment is necessary to protect employees from continued exposure to identified hazards. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.

Training and Outreach Services

The lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment, confined spaces (general industry and construction), electrical safety (general industry and construction), and heat stress presentations are available to assist employers in training their staff. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. 

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

Related resources can be found on safety and health topic pages for electrical safety, aerial lifts, arboriculture, medical services and first aid, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, fall protection, heat stress and personal protective equipment. for more information.

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to electric power generation, transmission, and distribution in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.

General Industry

29 CFR 1910, subpart R - special industries

  • 29 CFR 1910.269 - electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Other Related General Industry Standards

29 CFR 1910, subpart D - walking - working surfaces

29 CFR 1910, subpart E - exit routes and emergency planning

29 CFR 1910, subpart F - powered platforms, manlifts, and vehicle-mounted work platforms

29 CFR 1910, subpart G - occupational health and environmental control

29 CFR 1910, subpart H - hazardous materials

29 CFR 1910, subpart I - personal protective equipment

29 CFR 1910, Subpart J - General Environmental Controls

29 CFR 1910, subpart N - materials handling and storage

29 CFR 1910, subpart O - machinery and machine guarding

Construction

29 CFR 1926, subpart V - electric power generation, transmission, and distribution

Recordkeeping

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can help identify other standards that may also be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Fact Sheets

Compliance Documents

Industry Guides

Technical Assistance

  • Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.