1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C): Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program
Where required GFCI protection is not available for receptacles other than 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20- and 30-ampere, employers must run an assured equipment grounding conductor program. It needs a written description at the jobsite, competent persons to run it, daily visual inspection of cords and equipment before use, and continuity and grounding attachment tests.
Key takeaways
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 19 inspections, with $18,626 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (5), VA (3), MO (2).
- Related part: 1910.304(b) Branch circuits (279 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C) 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
(C) Where the ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection required by paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this section is not available for receptacles other than 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere, the employer shall establish and implement an assured equipment grounding conductor program covering cord sets, receptacles that are not a part of the building or structure, and equipment connected by cord and plug that are available for use or used by employees on those receptacles. This program shall comply with the following requirements: 19 citations
(1) A written description of the program, including the specific procedures adopted by the employer, shall be available at the jobsite for inspection and copying by the Assistant Secretary of Labor and any affected employee;
(2) The employer shall designate one or more competent persons to implement the program;
(3) Each cord set, attachment cap, plug, and receptacle of cord sets, and any equipment connected by cord and plug, except cord sets and receptacles which are fixed and not exposed to damage, shall be visually inspected before each day's use for external defects, such as deformed or missing pins or insulation damage, and for indications of possible internal damage. Equipment found damaged or defective shall not be used until repaired;
(4) The following tests shall be performed on all cord sets and receptacles which are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure, and cord- and plug-connected equipment required to be grounded:
(i) All equipment grounding conductors shall be tested for continuity and shall be electrically continuous;
(ii) Each receptacle and attachment cap or plug shall be tested for correct attachment of the equipment grounding conductor. The equipment grounding conductor shall be connected to its proper terminal; and
(iii) All required tests shall be performed before first use; before equipment is returned to service following any repairs; before equipment is used after any incident which can be reasonably suspected to have caused damage (for example, when a cord set is run over); and at intervals not to exceed 3 months, except that cord sets and receptacles which are fixed and not exposed to damage shall be tested at intervals not exceeding 6 months;
(5) The employer shall not make available or permit the use by employees of any equipment which has not met the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(C) of this section; and
(6) Tests performed as required in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(C) of this section shall be recorded. This test record shall identify each receptacle, cord set, and cord- and plug-connected equipment that passed the test and shall indicate the last date it was tested or the interval for which it was tested. This record shall be kept by means of logs, color coding, or other effective means and shall be maintained until replaced by a more current record. The record shall be made available on the jobsite for inspection by the Assistant Secretary and any affected employee.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.304.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TN (5), VA (3), MO (2), ME (2), NV (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WESTGATE RESORTS | BRANSON, MO | $5,693 |
| DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC. | ROCKLAND, ME | $5,692 |
| HIGGINS PALLET CO INC. | LAMAR, MO | $3,310 |
| PINAPS LLC | ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL | $2,185 |
| AUTOPAK ENGINEERING CORP. | CAGUAS, PR | $875 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.304(b) Branch circuits 279 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4) Outlet devices 137 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3) Ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel 102 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4)(ii)(B) 70 citations
- 1910.304(b)(4)(ii) 70 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(i) 69 citations
- 1910.304(b)(2) Receptacles and cord connectors 37 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii) 30 citations
- 1910.304(b)(2)(ii) 23 citations
- 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(A) 10 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
When is an assured grounding program required?
When the required GFCI protection is not available for receptacles other than 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20- and 30-ampere.
How often must cords be inspected?
Visually, before each day's use, except cord sets and receptacles that are fixed and not exposed to damage.
What happens to damaged equipment?
It shall not be used until repaired.
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 2026-10-20
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.