How the clearance rules fit together
OSHA's crane rule, Subpart CC, sets the distance in two places, depending on what the equipment is doing. Each time, the voltage picks the band and the band gives the distance in feet.
- Working near a line, 1926.1408. If any part of the equipment, load line or load could get closer than 20 feet to a line when worked to its full radius in the work zone, the employer picks one of three options: deenergize and visibly ground the line, keep 20 feet away, or keep the Table A distance for that voltage.
- Over 350 kV, 1926.1409. The same rules apply with 50 feet in place of 20 feet, for lines up to 1,000 kV.
- Over 1,000 kV. No table figure exists. The utility owner or operator, or a registered professional engineer qualified in power transmission and distribution, sets the distance.
- Traveling with no load, 1926.1411. Table T gives the distance while the equipment moves with the boom or mast lowered, and it allows for speed and terrain. Moving with a load is governed by 1926.1408 and the sections next to it, not by Table T.
The 20 foot option is the simple one, but it can be larger than needed on a low-voltage line. Table A is tighter and needs the voltage. Both options still need the planning meeting, a warning line or barricade, and at least one control such as a proximity alarm or a dedicated spotter. Paragraph 1926.1408(d) bars working below a line unless it is deenergized and grounded or an exception applies.
The two tables, as read on 25 Oct 2026
Each voltage is nominal, AC, in kV. A band such as “over 50 to 200” includes 200 kV. We read the values from the eCFR on 25 Oct 2026, which showed the rule current through the 22 Oct 2026 issue. Check the linked rule before you rely on them, because the rule can be amended.
| Voltage (kV) | Distance (ft) |
|---|---|
| up to 50 | 10 |
| over 50 to 200 | 15 |
| over 200 to 350 | 20 |
| over 350 to 500 | 25 |
| over 500 to 750 | 35 |
| over 750 to 1,000 | 45 |
| over 1,000 | set by the utility owner or a registered engineer |
| Voltage (kV) | Distance (ft) |
|---|---|
| up to 0.75 | 4 |
| over 0.75 to 50 | 6 |
| over 50 to 345 | 10 |
| over 345 to 750 | 16 |
| over 750 to 1,000 | 20 |
| over 1,000 | set by the utility owner or a registered engineer |
Notice that the bands are not the same. Table A breaks at 350 kV and Table T at 345 kV, and Table T has bands for very low voltage that Table A does not.
Worked example 1: a 115 kV line, working near it
115 kV falls in the “over 50 to 200” band, so Table A gives 15 ft. The 20 foot option gives 20 ft. A planned closest approach of 18 ft meets the Table A distance and is too close for the 20 foot option. So with the voltage confirmed and option 3 chosen, 18 ft is allowed with the measures in 1926.1408(b). Under option 2 it is not.
Worked example 2: a 500 kV line, then travel
500 kV is the top of the “over 350 to 500” band, so Table A gives 25 ft, and the default distance is 50 ft because the line is over 350 kV. Planning 30 ft meets Table A and falls short of the 50 foot default. For the same line, a crane traveling with no load falls in Table T's “over 345 to 750” band, so the travel distance is 16 ft. The voltage and distances are invented for teaching. These are original examples, not exam questions.
How this shows up in Core study
Power lines appear in tasks 1.3, 2.5 and 2.15 of the NCCCO Core outline. Know the order of thought: assume the line is energized, find the voltage from the owner, then decide whether any part of the crane, line or load can reach inside the distance. The power line safety explainer covers the mindset, and the Core study guide maps the tasks to the OSHA sections. You do not need to memorize every band for a written exam to understand why they exist.
Crane power line clearance questions
What is the difference between the 20 foot option and Table A?
Both are ways to meet 1926.1408 when equipment could get close to a line. The 20 foot option keeps every part of the equipment, load line and load at least 20 feet away, whatever the voltage up to 350 kV. Table A lets you work closer on a lower-voltage line, down to 10 feet at 50 kV or less, once you know the voltage. Above 350 kV the 20 foot default becomes 50 feet.
What if I do not know the voltage?
Treat the line as energized and get the voltage from the utility owner or operator. This calculator gives no distance for an unknown voltage, because a figure for the wrong band could be too small. The 20 foot option covers lines up to 350 kV, so it also cannot be used until you know the line is in that range.
Does a distance that exactly equals the minimum pass?
The rule is written as not getting closer than the distance, so equal to the minimum meets it. The calculator marks that as meeting it. Real plans add margin for swing, sway and sag, which this page does not model.