1-800-321-OSHA (6742) 1 www.osha.gov

HAZARDALERT

///////// Hazards to workers on the ground if guy wires 

contact energized lines

Working on or near energized high-voltage lines is inherently dangerous because these lines 

are typically uninsulated and contact will result in the immediate transfer of electrical energy 

leading to severe injury, or electrocution. It’s important to take special precautions when 

conductive objects, like guy wires, are near energized lines. 

Background

Guy wires are installed on poles to help support the 

pole and the weight of lines and other equipment 

installed on the pole. Workers are exposed to 

electrical hazards if there is a potential for a guy wire 

to contact an energized line, for example, when: 

 Installing a new guy wire on a pole with 

energized lines 

 Adjusting the tension to remove slack from a 

guy wire 

 Replacing a guy wire after an incident or 

natural disaster

To protect employees, guy wires must be either 

effectively grounded or have properly positioned 

insulators to block the flow of electric current so that 

employees on the ground are protected. 

OSHA has recently investigated several fatality cases 

where employees were killed when working on guy 

wires that contacted an energized line. In some of 

these cases, OSHA investigations revealed the guy 

wires were not grounded and had insulators positioned 

incorrectly. Some insulators were placed too high up 

above energized lines (see Figure 1). In one case, a 

fatality occurred when two linemen were tightening 

a guy wire. As they were working on the guy wire, the 

pole suddenly shifted, causing the guy wire to contact 

an energized line. One lineman was electrocuted, and 

the other was hospitalized with severe injuries. 

Properly positioned insulators can 

protect workers

If an ungrounded guy wire contacts an energized line, 

then properly positioned insulators block the flow of 

electricity down the guy wire to the ground level (see 

Figure 2).

Employers must always ensure employee protection 

by performing adequate risk assessment. Guy wire 

energization hazard can be controlled by either installing 

Figure 1. Illustrates how improper positioning of guy wire 

insulators can create a significant hazard.

Guy wire insulator

was installed ABOVE

energized lines

Pole

Ungrounded guy wire

(anchor type) insulator was

posi7oned too high.

Contact with an energized

line allows lethal current

flow to the ground below.

Crossarm with

energized

conductors

Pole

Insulator is

posi7oned correctly,

if contact is made

with an energized line

Crossarm with

energized

conductors

Figure 2. Illustrates guy wire insulator positioned to prevent 

energization to the ground. 

Guy wire insulator

was installed ABOVE

energized lines

Pole

Ungrounded guy wire

(anchor type) insulator was

posi7oned too high.

Contact with an energized

line allows lethal current

flow to the ground below.

Crossarm with

energized

conductors

Pole

Insulator is

posi7oned correctly,

if contact is made

with an energized line

lethal current will

NOT flow to the

ground below.

Crossarm with

energized

conductors

8 feet (2.44 m)

minimum
insulators, or effectively grounding guy wires. Employers 

should also ensure insulators are positioned properly on 

existing guy wires. If employees are working on existing 

guy wires which are neither grounded, nor have properly 

placed insulators, then the employer must use properly 

rated (for the voltage involved) electrical protective 

equipment. OSHA recommends employers follow 

relevant guidelines in consensus standards, such as the 

National Electrical Safety Code (IEEE, NESC-C2), which 

recommends ungrounded guy wires have insulators 

installed to prevent electric current from traveling down 

the guy wire to below 8-feet (2.44 m) above the ground 

level (see Figure 2). 

Applicable OSHA Requirements 

could include:

 29 CFR 1926.960 & 1910.269(l), Working on or near

exposed energized parts

 29 CFR 1926.962 & 1910.269(n), Grounding for the

protection of employees

 29 CFR 1926.964 & 1910.269(q), Overhead lines and

live-line barehand work

 29 CFR 1926.97 & 1910.137, Electrical

Protective Equipment

Also refer to the consensus standard on Guy Wires: 

IEEE 2023 National Electrical Safety Code C2-2023; 

Part 2 Safety Rules for Overhead Lines.

How OSHA Can Help

We have compliance assistance specialists 

throughout the nation who can provide information 

to employers and workers about OSHA standards, 

short educational programs on specific hazards or 

OSHA rights and responsibilities, and information 

on additional compliance assistance resources. 

Contact your local OSHA office for more information 

www.osha.gov/contactus/bystate. 

OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program offers 

no-cost and confidential services to help small 

and medium-sized businesses find and fix workplace 

hazards. On-Site consultation services are separate 

from enforcement and do not result in penalties or 

citations. To locate the nearest Consultation office, 

visit: www.osha.gov/consultation or call 1-800-321-

OSHA (6742).

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

 Working conditions that do not pose a risk of

serious harm.

 Receive information and training (in a language

and vocabulary the worker understands) about

workplace hazards, methods to prevent them, and

the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace.

 Review records of work-related injuries

and illnesses.

 File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their

workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard

or that their employer is not following OSHA’s rules.

OSHA will keep all identities confidential.

 Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation,

including reporting an injury or raising health and

safety concerns with their employer or OSHA. If a

worker has been retaliated against for using their

rights, they must file a complaint with OSHA as soon

as possible, but no later than 30 days.

For additional information on workers’ rights, 

OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program, and 

other services, see www.osha.gov/workers or 

www.whistleblowers.gov.

How to Contact OSHA

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 

of 1970, employers are responsible for providing 

safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. 

OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for 

America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards, 

and providing training, education and assistance. For 

more information, visit www.osha.gov or call OSHA at 

1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

This Hazard Alert is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health 

standards [and other regulatory requirements]. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing 

a safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by 

OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. In addition, the Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with a 

workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. The mention of any non-governmental organization or link to its website in this Hazard 

Alert does not constitute an endorsement by OSHA or NIOSH of that organization or its products, services, or website.

U.S. Department of Labor

DOC 10/2023 HA-4380

www.osha.gov