A safety training firm asked about a common power-line scenario: two electric utilities own and operate separate installations on the same utility pole. Utility 1 owns and controls the pole and hires a contractor to perform work that affects Utility 2's installation. Who owes the Subpart V information transfer duties?
OSHA determined that both utilities function as host employers. Utility 1 is the host employer for its own installation, and Utility 2 is the host employer for its installation. The definition permits multiple host employers on the same worksite when multiple installations are involved, though each installation has exactly one host employer (29 CFR 1926.950(c)).
For Utility 2, which has no direct contractual relationship with the contractor, OSHA explained it learns of the planned work through its existing relationship with Utility 1 or through the contractor's own assessment obligations under 29 CFR 1926.950(d). Once aware, Utility 2 must comply with the information transfer provisions. Utilities may exchange information directly with each other or through contacts with entities that do have contractual relationships, and the mechanism — telephone, email, meetings, or websites — is acceptable so long as it effectively communicates the information needed for compliance.
Finally, host employer responsibilities do not transfer between utilities: both retain their host employer duties for their respective installations throughout the project. The letter also references OSHA's Multi-Employer Citation Policy (CPL 02-00-124).