Work Practices Related to the Use of Equipment

Certain safety-related work practices apply to the use of various types of equipment, including portable cord- and plug-connected equipment. Such portable connectors and equipment include flexible cord sets (extension cords), electrical power and lighting circuits, and test instruments and equipment.

Portable equipment must be handled in a manner that will not cause it to be damaged. For example, flexible electrical cords connected to equipment cannot be used for lifting or lowering the equipment they are attached to. Flexible cords cannot be fastened with staples or otherwise hung in a way that could damage the outer jacket or insulation.

Employees should always visually inspect portable cord- and plug-connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) for external defects and for evidence of possible internal damage before using them on any work shift. If there is a defect or evidence of damage that might expose an employee to injury, the employee should remove the defective or damaged item from service; and no employee should use it until repairs and tests necessary to render the equipment safe have been made.

When an attachment plug is to be connected to a receptacle, employees should first check the relationship of the plug and receptacle contacts to ensure that they are of proper mating configurations.

To learn more about Electrical Safety visit our Electrical Safety Online Training web page.