1910.304(a)(2): Correct Polarity of Connections
Employers must not attach a grounded conductor to any terminal or lead in a way that reverses the designated polarity.
Key takeaways
- 1910.304(a)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 27 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $35,982 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OR (5), MI (3), NY (2).
- Related part: 1910.304(a) Use and identification of grounded and grounding conductors (29 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.304(a)(2) ("Polarity of connections") is one requirement inside 1910.304 Wiring design and protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). 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
(2) Polarity of connections. No grounded conductor may be attached to any terminal or lead so as to reverse designated polarity. 27 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.304.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: OR (5), MI (3), NY (2), PR (2), SC (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LUCKY EAGLE CASINO | ROCHESTER, WA | $7,566 |
| WAL-MART ASSOCIATES INC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $7,493 |
| GASCO INDUSTRIAL CORP. | GURABO, PR | $6,951 |
| MACY'S, INC. | HONOLULU, HI | $4,573 |
| 76420 - CULPEPER OF ORANGEBURG LLC | ORANGEBURG, SC | $3,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.304(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Acceptable job-made extension cords. (1992-06-17)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.304(a) Use and identification of grounded and grounding conductors 29 citations
- 1910.304(a)(3) Use of grounding terminals and devices 2 citations
- 1910.304(a)(1) Identification of conductors
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What does this rule forbid?
Attaching a grounded conductor to a terminal or lead so that the designated polarity is reversed.
Why does reversed polarity matter?
The rule keeps the grounded conductor on its designated terminal so polarity stays as designed.
Does this apply to receptacles and fixtures?
It applies to any terminal or lead a grounded conductor is attached to.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.304 (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 2026-10-22
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.