1910.305(g)(2)(ii): No Splices or Taps in Flexible Cords
Flexible cords may be used only in continuous lengths without splices or taps. Hard-service and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger may be repaired by splicing only if the splice keeps the insulation, outer sheath properties and usage characteristics of the original cord.
Key takeaways
- 1910.305(g)(2)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 173 times in the last 3 years, in 173 inspections, with $247,020 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PR (27), NV (14), TX (12).
- Related part: 1910.305(g) Flexible cords and cables (3,738 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.305 Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use, 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
(ii) Flexible cords may be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap. Hard-service cord and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger may be repaired if spliced so that the splice retains the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced. 173 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.305.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.305(g)(2)(ii).
At 3:54 p.m. on June 6, 2024, an employee working as a machine operator for a sheet metal manufacturer was working alongside a coworker. The pair were settingup and operating a Bodor CNC Laser cutting machine cutting 4-foot by 8-foot pieces of sheet metal. They…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 57 |
| 2025 | 59 |
| 2026 | 48 |
Top states: PR (27), NV (14), TX (12), IL (12), MD (12)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| OWENS-BROCKWAY GLASS CONTAINER, INC. | MUSKOGEE, OK | $16,550 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $13,415 |
| NUMEAT PACKING INC | SAN JUAN, PR | $12,768 |
| FLOORING CENTER USA, LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $12,485 |
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $9,126 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.305(g)(2)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.305(g)(2)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.305(g) Flexible cords and cables 3,738 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1) Use of flexible cords and cables 2,566 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1)(iv) 2,522 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A) 1,437 citations
- 1910.305(g)(2) Identification, splices, and terminations 1,172 citations
- 1910.305(g)(2)(iii) 997 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B) 267 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D) 225 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(C) 145 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1)(i) 20 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1)(iii) 14 citations
- 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(E) 12 citations
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
Can a flexible cord be spliced?
Generally no. Flexible cords may be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap.
Which cords may be repaired by splicing?
Hard-service cord and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger.
What must a repair splice keep?
The insulation, outer sheath properties and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.305 (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 2026-10-20
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.