Section 408.14007. Use of cord and plug-connected equipment.

(1) This rule applies to the use of cord and plug-connected equipment, including flexible cord sets (extension cords).

(2)   Portable equipment shall be handled in a manner which will not cause damage. Flexible electric cords that are connected to equipment shall not be used for raising or lowering the equipment. Flexible cords shall not be fastened with staples or otherwise hung in a manner that could damage the outer jacket or insulation.

(3)   Portable cord and plug-connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) shall 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 evidence of possible internal damage, such as pinched or   crushed  outer  jacket. Cord and plug-connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) which remain connected once they are put in place and which are not exposed to damage need not be visually inspected until they are relocated.

(4)   If there is a defect or evidence of damage that might expose an employee to injury, the defective or damaged item shall be removed from service and an employee shall not use the item until necessary repairs and tests to render the equipment safe have been made.

(5)   When an attachment plug is  to  be  connected  to  a  receptacle, including any on a cord set, the relationship of the plug and receptacle contacts shall first be checked to ensure that they are of proper  mating configurations.

(6)   A flexible cord that is used with grounding-type equipment shall contain an equipment-grounding conductor.

(7)   Attachment plugs and receptacles shall not be connected or altered in a manner that would prevent proper continuity of the equipment grounding conductor at the point where plugs are attached to receptacles.

Additionally, attachment plugs and receptacles shall not be altered to allow the grounding pole of a plug to be inserted into slots that  are intended for connection to the current-carrying conductors.

(8)   Adapters that interrupt the continuity of the equipment-grounding connection shall not be used.

(9)    Portable electric equipment and flexible cords that are used in highly conductive work locations, such as those inundated with water or other conductive liquids, or that  are  used   in  job  locations  where employees are likely to contact  water or  conductive  liquids  shall be approved for those locations.

(10)   An employee's hands shall not be wet when plugging and unplugging flexible cords  and  cord  and  plug-connected  equipment  if   energized equipment is involved.

(11)    Energized plug and receptacle connections shall be handled only with insulating protective equipment if the condition of the connection could provide a conducting path to the employee's hand. For example, if a cord connector is wet from being immersed in water.

(12)   Locking-type connectors shall be properly secured after connection.

History: 1992 AACS.