1910.303(c)(3): Splicing Conductors
Conductors must be spliced with identified splicing devices or by brazing, welding or soldering. Soldered splices must first be mechanically and electrically secure without solder, all splices and free ends must be insulated equal to the conductors, and connectors for direct burial must be listed for that use.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(c)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 52 times in the last 3 years, in 52 inspections, with $126,120 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PR (9), GA (5), TX (4).
- Related part: 1910.303(c) Electrical connections (56 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.303(c)(3) ("Splices") is one requirement inside 1910.303 General, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(3) Splices. 52 citations
(i) Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered splices shall first be spliced or joined to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose. Open (c)(3)(i) 51 citations
(ii) Wire connectors or splicing means installed on conductors for direct burial shall be listed for such use. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Export the list: 52 inspections cited 1910.303(c)(3) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.303(c)(3).
At 9:00 a.m. on January 19, 2024, two employees (Employee #1 and Employee #2) were setting up the site to create another stack of steel pipes (30 inches in diameter by 40 feet long, weighing over 2,000 pounds each.) The employees removed the chock block…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: PR (9), GA (5), TX (4), VA (3), FL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| AEE | YAUCO, PR | $11,823 |
| CARL'S DONUTS, INC. | LAS VEGAS, NV | $10,046 |
| EMPRESAS V�ZQUEZ CORP. | VEGA ALTA, PR | $8,038 |
| GARLAND SALES, INC. | DALTON, GA | $7,000 |
| DS-PROGRAMA MADRES, NI?OS Y ADOLESCENTES REGI?N ARECIBO | ARECIBO, PR | $7,000 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.303(c)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.303(c) Electrical connections 56 citations
- 1910.303(c)(3)(i) 51 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can I just solder two wires together?
Only after they are first spliced to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder.
How must splices be insulated?
With insulation equivalent to the conductors or an insulating device identified for the purpose.
What about buried connections?
Connectors or splicing means for direct burial must be listed for such use.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.303 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.