The occupational safety and health act (OSHA) gives construction
site employers two options for protecting workers from
electrical shock while using portable tools and extension cords.
In the absences of approved ground fault circuits interruption
(GFCI ) systems employers must implement an assured equipment
grounding program. Keep in mind that this is a minimum
requirement and in this authors humble opinion the assured
grounding equipment conductor programs should be implemented
regardless of GFCI presence.
The information here is not intended to be a complete
instruction for protecting employees from accidental shock or
electrocution. Please refer to the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) 1926.404
- Wiring Design and Protection for the entire text.
Essentially the program requires periodic testing and record
keeping of the equipment grounding conductor of portable
equipment and extension cords. Inspections should be made by a
competent person before the equipment first use, following
repairs and at least every three months. Workers should be
trained to verify that inspections are current and to make their
own inspections for damaged insulation, missing or broken
grounding pins or other signs of damage.
The program requires records to be kept that identify the
equipment and the date of the last inspection. A widely used
method is color coding the equipment to indicate the time period
for which the successful test was completed. Most contractors
use colored vinyl electrical tape on either or both end of the
cord to identify the time period. It is also acceptable to keep
a written log with the identity of the equipment and the test
date.
