HomeKnowledgeOSHA 1926.405 — Electrical Safety (Wiring Methods)
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OSHA 1926.405 — Electrical Safety (Wiring Methods)

Updated Mar 25, 2026
GFCI protection required for all 120V 15/20A outlets on construction sites. Temporary wiring must be protected from damage. Extension cords must be 3-wire grounded. Electrocution is a Fatal Four hazard.

All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets on construction sites that are not a part of the permanent wiring must have GFCI protection. An assured equipment grounding conductor program is an alternative (but GFCI is strongly preferred). Flexible cords must be 3-wire with grounding conductor. Extension cords must be hard-usage or extra-hard-usage rated (S, ST, SO, STO type). Temporary wiring must be protected from physical damage. All electrical installations must comply with NEC (NFPA 70). Lockout/tagout per 1926.417 required before working on electrical systems. Electrocution is one of OSHA Construction Fatal Four — approximately 8% of construction fatalities. Training required: qualified persons for electrical work, unqualified persons for hazard awareness.

TAGS
safetyelectricaloshagfcielectrocutionfatal-fournec
DETAILS
hazards
["electrocution","shock","arc_flash"]
regulator
OSHA
task types
["electrical","general_construction","temporary_power"]
regulation id
29 CFR 1926.405
required controls
["gfci","grounding","lockout_tagout"]
violation penalties
{"serious":"$16,131"}
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