Extension cord safety toolbox talk

The rule

What OSHA requires

Plain-language summary. Each line links to the exact paragraph of the regulation.

• In construction, extension cord sets used with portable electric tools and appliances must be three-wire type and designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Hard service cord (types S, ST, SO, STO) and junior hard service cord (types SJ, SJO, SJT, SJTO) are examples of cords designed for hard or extra-hard usage. These cord types may not be used unless they are durably marked on the surface with the type designation, size and number of conductors (29 CFR 1926.405(g)(2)(ii)).

  “Extension cord sets used with portable electric tools and appliances shall be of three-wire type and shall be designed for hard or extra-hard usage.”

  29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J)

• In construction, worn or frayed electric cords or cables must not be used.

  “Worn or frayed electric cords or cables shall not be used.”

  29 CFR 1926.416(e)(1)

• In general industry, extension cords and portable equipment with a cord and plug must be visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects, such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to the outer jacket or insulation, and for signs of possible internal damage, such as a pinched or crushed outer jacket. Cords that stay connected once they are put in place and are not exposed to damage need not be inspected until they are relocated. If a defect or damage might expose an employee to injury, the item must be removed from service, and no employee may use it until repairs and tests make it safe (29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii)).

  “flexible cord sets (extension cords) shall be visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects”

  29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(i)

• On construction sites, the employer must protect employees with either ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or an assured equipment grounding conductor program. Where GFCIs are used, all 120-volt, single-phase, 15-ampere and 20-ampere receptacle outlets that are not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and are in use by employees must have approved GFCIs for personnel protection, with a limited exception for certain small portable or vehicle-mounted generators (29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(ii)).

  “The employer shall use either ground fault circuit interrupters as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section or an assured equipment grounding conductor program”

  29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(i)

• Under an assured equipment grounding conductor program on a construction site, each cord set, attachment cap, plug and receptacle of cord sets, and any equipment connected by cord and plug must be visually inspected before each day's use for external defects and signs of internal damage, except cord sets and receptacles that are fixed and not exposed to damage. Damaged or defective equipment must not be used until repaired. The required tests must be done before first use, before equipment returns to service after repairs, before use after any incident that can reasonably be suspected of causing damage (for example, a cord set being run over), and at intervals not exceeding 3 months, or 6 months for cord sets and receptacles that are fixed and not exposed to damage (29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(E)(1) through (E)(4)).

  “shall be visually inspected before each day's use for external defects, such as deformed or missing pins or insulation damage, and for indications of possible internal damage”

  29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(C)

• In general industry, for temporary wiring used during construction-like activities, including certain maintenance, remodeling or repair work, all 125-volt, single-phase, 15-ampere, 20-ampere and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and are in use by personnel must have GFCI protection. A cord connector on an extension cord set counts as a receptacle outlet when the cord set is used for temporary electric power, and cord sets and devices with the required GFCI built in that are connected to the receptacle closest to the source of power are acceptable protection.

  “A cord connector on an extension cord set is considered to be a receptacle outlet if the cord set is used for temporary electric power.”

  29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(A)

• In construction, extension cords must not be fastened with staples, hung from nails or suspended by wire. In general industry, flexible cords may not be fastened with staples or hung in a way that could damage the outer jacket or insulation, and cords connected to equipment may not be used to raise or lower it (29 CFR 1910.334(a)(1)).

  “Extension cords shall not be fastened with staples, hung from nails, or suspended by wire.”

  29 CFR 1926.416(e)(2)

• In construction, flexible cords and cables must be protected from damage, and sharp corners and projections must be avoided. They may pass through doorways or other pinch points if protection is provided to avoid damage. Working spaces, walkways and similar locations must be kept clear of cords so they do not create a hazard to employees (29 CFR 1926.416(b)(2)). In general industry, cords and cables in temporary wiring must be protected from accidental damage, such as from sharp corners, projections, doorways or other pinch points (29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(x)).

  “Flexible cords and cables shall be protected from damage. Sharp corners and projections shall be avoided.”

  29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(I)

• In construction, flexible cords may be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap. Hard service flexible cords No. 12 or larger may be repaired if the splice keeps the insulation, outer sheath properties and usage characteristics of the cord. Unless needed for a use the rule permits, flexible cords must not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure or run through holes in walls, ceilings or floors (29 CFR 1926.405(g)(1)(iii)(A) and (B)). General industry has the same continuous-length rule and allows the same kind of splice repair on hard-service and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger (29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii)).

  “Flexible cords shall be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap.”

  29 CFR 1926.405(g)(2)(iii)

• In general industry, a flexible cord used with grounding-type equipment must contain an equipment grounding conductor (29 CFR 1910.334(a)(3)(i)). Plugs and receptacles may not be connected or altered in a way that would prevent proper continuity of the equipment grounding conductor, and adapters that interrupt the grounding connection may not be used (29 CFR 1910.334(a)(3)(ii) and (iii)). Employees' hands may not be wet when plugging and unplugging cords if energized equipment is involved (29 CFR 1910.334(a)(5)(i)).

  “Attachment plugs and receptacles may not be connected or altered in a manner which would prevent proper continuity of the equipment grounding conductor”

  29 CFR 1910.334(a)(3)(ii)

Who must be trained

In general industry, employees who face a risk of electric shock that is not reduced to a safe level by the electrical installation requirements must be trained (29 CFR 1910.332(a)), and the training covers the safety-related work practices in 29 CFR 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertain to their jobs, including the cord rules in 29 CFR 1910.334 (29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1)). In construction, the employer must instruct each employee in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions and the regulations that apply to their work environment (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).