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Extension Cord Safety

Extension Cord Use. Provides a handy and temporary way to place electrical equipment wherever desired.Largely used in construction.Comes in various lengths, thicknesses, and service duties.. Safety Concerns. The main causes of injury and death are primary related to the following:Misuse, ( e.

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Extension Cord Safety

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    1. Extension Cord Safety

    2. Extension Cord Use Provides a handy and temporary way to place electrical equipment wherever desired. Largely used in construction. Comes in various lengths, thicknesses, and service duties.

    3. Safety Concerns The main causes of injury and death are primary related to the following: Misuse, ( e.g., using indoor cords for outdoor applications) Damaged, (e.g., exposed strands of wires)

    4. Statistics According to the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC), about 4,000 injuries each year associated with extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms. About half the injuries involve fractures, lacerations, or sprains from people tripping over extension cords.

    5. Statistics CPSC also estimates that about 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others. Most frequent causes of fires are short circuits, overloading, damage, and misuse of extension cords.

    6. OSHA Regulations Subpart K 1926.405 The National Electric Code requires extension cords to be approved and identified by the word "outdoor" or the letters "WA" on the jacket. Electrical problems are among the most commonly cited OSHA violations.

    7. OSHA Regulations All 120-volt, single-phase 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets on construction sites, which are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and which are in use by employees, shall have approved ground-fault circuit interrupters for personnel protection.

    8. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Underwriters Laboratories Inc.(UL), requires that general use extension cords have safety closures, warning labels, and rating information about the electrical current. UL-listed extension cords must be constructed with #16 gauge or larger wire, equipped with integral fuses, and rated to carry 13 amperes (up to 1560 watts).

    9. NEC Regulations The National Electrical Code says that many cord-connected appliances should be equipped with polarized grounding type plugs (one blade wider than the other). Polarized plugs are designed to prevent electrical shock by properly aligning circuit conductors. Thus, ensuring a ground of hot wire.

    10. Safety Procedures Ask yourself 3 important questions: Will I use the cord outdoors or indoors? What is the total wattage rating of the devices I’ll use with the cord? How far is the nearest outlet from where I’ll be working?

    11. Safety Procedures Reduce the likelihood of electrocution or fire from improper extension cord use: Use extension cords only when necessary and only on a temporary basis. Use polarized extension cords with polarized devices. Insert plugs fully so that no part of the prongs are exposed when in use.

    12. Safety Procedures Use the correct size and wattage rating for each use. The “gauge” (size) is based on the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system, in which the larger the wire, the smaller the AWG #. e.g., 12 AWG has a larger wattage rating than 14 AWG.

    13. Safety Procedures Don't use staples or nails to attach extension cords to surfaces. This could damage the cord and present a shock or fire hazard. Avoid plugging two cords together to make a longer one. It's best to use one cord in a continuous.

    14. Safety Procedures Extension cords must be visually inspected before use on any shift Any defective cord must be removed from service

    15. Safety Procedures Do not connect loads that exceed 75% of the maximum amperage marked on the package. Do not assume a "standard rating" based on wire size. The manufacturer may de-rate heavy-duty cords, cords longer than 50 feet, or cords with integral switches. If unsure of a cord rating, assume that it is 10 amps if 50 feet or less, and 7 amps if over 50 feet long.

    16. Safety Procedures Be aware of any hazards in your surroundings such as water puddles and elevated extension cords that may cause electrocution, tripping, or lacerations. Never keep an extension cord plugged in when not in use.

    17. Hazard Safe

    18. For More information… Visit: <http://www.ul.com/consumers/cords.html> <http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/conten t/0,21770,694388,00.html>

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