Minimum approach distances near power lines: the tables regulators publish

This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. The tables below are static copies of published figures for the cases each source names. They are not a calculator, they do not cover every case, and each source has conditions (altitude, tools, who is working) that sit outside the cell. The power lines guide explains who may work near lines and why this page gives no advice on distances to use. Programme rules are on the vegetation management rules page.

United States: OSHA 1910.269, Tables R-6 and R-7

Paragraph (r)(1) of 1910.269 applies to line-clearance tree trimmers who are not qualified employees. It says they must maintain the minimum approach distances from energized conductors given in the R tables, and that a second line-clearance tree trimmer within normal voice range is required if a trimmer is to approach more closely than 3.05 meters (10 feet) to a conductor or apparatus energized at more than 750 volts. Table R-6 is headed alternative minimum approach distances for voltages of 72.5 kV and less. Its footnote says the figures are for worksites at 900 meters (3,000 feet) or lower, with the Table R-5 altitude factor applied above that.

Nominal voltage, phase to phase	Phase-to-ground exposure	Phase-to-phase exposure
0.050 to 0.300 kV	Avoid contact	Avoid contact
0.301 to 0.750 kV	0.33 m (1.09 ft)	0.33 m (1.09 ft)
0.751 to 5.0 kV	0.63 m (2.07 ft)	0.63 m (2.07 ft)
5.1 to 15.0 kV	0.65 m (2.14 ft)	0.68 m (2.24 ft)
15.1 to 36.0 kV	0.77 m (2.53 ft)	0.89 m (2.92 ft)
36.1 to 46.0 kV	0.84 m (2.76 ft)	0.98 m (3.22 ft)
46.1 to 72.5 kV	1.00 m (3.29 ft)	1.20 m (3.94 ft)
72.6 to 121.0 kV (Table R-7)	1.13 m (3.71 ft)	1.42 m (4.66 ft)
121.1 to 145.0 kV	1.30 m (4.27 ft)	1.64 m (5.38 ft)
145.1 to 169.0 kV	1.46 m (4.79 ft)	1.94 m (6.36 ft)
169.1 to 242.0 kV	2.01 m (6.59 ft)	3.08 m (10.10 ft)
242.1 to 362.0 kV	3.41 m (11.19 ft)	5.52 m (18.11 ft)
362.1 to 420.0 kV	4.25 m (13.94 ft)	6.81 m (22.34 ft)
420.1 to 550.0 kV	5.07 m (16.63 ft)	8.24 m (27.03 ft)
550.1 to 800.0 kV	6.88 m (22.57 ft)	11.38 m (37.34 ft)

Table R-6 footnote 2 says single-phase systems use voltage-to-ground. Table R-7 has its own footnotes on insulated tools and large conductive objects in the gap. The full tables, the other R tables and the altitude factors are in 29 CFR 1910.269 on the eCFR.

British Columbia: Part 19 of the OHS Regulation

Section 19.24.1 sets the minimum approach distance for people, tools, machines, material and equipment close to exposed electrical equipment or conductors. Section 19.33 says tree pruning or falling is not permitted within the Table 19-1A distances unless a certified utility arborist or a qualified electrical worker is present and directing the work, with one more qualified person trained in emergency rescue. Distances are phase to phase.

Voltage	Table 19-1A, minimum approach distance	Table 19-1B, clearance when passing under with equipment
Over 750 V to 75 kV	3 m (10 ft)	2 m (6.5 ft)
Over 75 kV to 250 kV	4.5 m (15 ft)	3 m (10 ft)
Over 250 kV to 550 kV	6 m (20 ft)	4 m (13 ft)

Section 19.34 then sets limits of approach for utility arborists in Table 19-3. Column A is the insulated tool limit for certified utility arborists, column B their work limit, and column C the work limit for apprentice utility arborists. Section 19.34 also says vegetation closer than the column B limit must be cut with approved insulated tools, and that an apprentice may work to the certified limits only in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a certified utility arborist.

Voltage range, phase to phase	A. Insulated tool limit, certified	B. Work limit, certified	C. Work limit, apprentice
Over 750 V to 20 kV	0.3 m (1 ft)	0.9 m (3 ft)	3 m (10 ft)
Over 20 kV to 30 kV	0.5 m (1.5 ft)	1.2 m (4 ft)	3 m (10 ft)
Over 30 kV to 75 kV	0.9 m (3 ft)	1.5 m (5 ft)	3 m (10 ft)
Over 75 kV to 250 kV	2.1 m (7 ft)	3 m (10 ft)	4.5 m (15 ft)
Over 250 kV to 325 kV	2.6 m (8.5 ft)	4.5 m (15 ft)	6 m (20 ft)
Over 325 kV to 550 kV	3.7 m (12 ft)	6 m (20 ft)	6 m (20 ft)

The regulation text is in Part 19 on the WorkSafeBC site.

Victoria, Australia: Energy Safe Victoria rules

ESV's page on keeping tree industry workers safe, reviewed January 16, 2026, separates three kinds of work. For private work it says ESV recommends contractors maintain the No Go Zone 3 m exclusion zone, and that the minimum is the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019. For council work it names the Blue Book and its Electrical Safety Rules for Vegetation Management Work Near Overhead Powerlines by Non-Electrical Workers. For distribution business work it points to the VESI guideline. The rules document, dated September 1, 2013, holds a table for ground workers and climbers, in millimetres. For bare or covered low voltage and for high voltage lines the figures below are for working under or beside the conductor, and work over the conductor is marked not permitted.

Line type	Worker's body clearance, under or beside	Uninsulated tool or equipment, under or beside
Insulated low voltage	200 mm, all directions	200 mm, all directions
Bare or covered low voltage	1000 mm	300 mm
High voltage up to and including 22 kV	1200 mm	1000 mm
Over 22 kV up to and including 66 kV	2000 mm	2000 mm

The rules say the figures make no allowance for conductor sag and sway, and that where the distances cannot be kept an access authority must be obtained from the asset owner. The document is the ESV electrical safety rules for vegetation management work, and the guidance page is ESV on keeping tree industry workers safe.

Zones instead of tables

United Kingdom: HSE says that when work is proposed within 10 m of overhead power lines, measured at ground level horizontally from below the nearest wire, a risk-based approach is needed and specialist advice from the Network Operator comes first. It also names work more than 10 m away that could breach the distance, such as a falling tree or a lift that could collapse. See HSE on power lines.
New Zealand: Orion, a lines company, says anyone intending to work within 4 metres of its power lines needs a close approach consent from Orion first. See Orion on trees near power lines.