U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
Standard Interpretations
03/03/1992 - Contractor shop-made extension cords. |
Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents |
Standard Number: | 1910.305(a)(2); 1910.403(b)(1) ; 1910.404(a)(2) ; 1910 Subpart S; 1926.403(a); 1926.403(a)(2) ; 1926.403(b)(1)(i); 1926.403(g); 1926.404(a)(2); 1926.405(g)(2)(v); 1926 Subpart K |
DATE: March 3, 1992
This is in response to your November 13 memorandum requesting an interpretation of OSHA requirements pertaining to shop-made extension cords. I apologize for the delay in responding to you. Normally, equipment must be approved as an assembly by a nationally recognized testing laboratory before it would be acceptable under the General Industry or Construction Electrical Standards (Part 1910, Subpart S and Part 1926, Subpart K, respectively). In the case of cord sets used in construction, it is common for them to be assembled in the field by electrical contractors. It should be noted that OSHA interprets cord sets as being temporary wiring extensions of the branch circuit. As such, temporary electrical power and lighting wiring methods, as specifically modified in 1926.405(a)(2) and 1910.305(a)(2), may be of a class less than that required for a permanent installation. Thus, temporary electrical power and lighting installations are permitted during the period of construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment, or similar activities. In addition, temporary wiring must be removed immediately upon completion of construction or purpose for which the wiring was installed. When the temporary wiring consists of shop-made cord sets, self-fabricated lighting installations, emergency or experimental wiring etc., as permitted by 1926.405(a)(2) and 1910.305(a)(2) to be assembled and installed at the work site using approved parts, the requirement for listing by a nationally recognized test laboratory does not apply. If a factory-manufactured temporary wiring assembly, such as ready-made extension cords, temporary lighting strings (UL-1088), "on-the-spot" emergency lighting, etc., is desired, then the prefabricated temporary wiring assembly to be installed must be of a type that a nationally recognized testing laboratory accepts, certifies, lists, labels, or determines to be safe. In regard to electrical contractors assembling cord sets at construction sites, the practice is acceptable, provided the assembled cord sets are constructed in a manner equivalent to those that are factory-assembled and approved. (The same approach applies to the General Industry Electrical Standards. However, your question pertained to construction, so the remaining references are to Subpart K of Part 1926.) Criteria for determining whether shop-made cord sets meet existing electrical standards include:
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Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents |
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