1910.304(g)(6)(vi): Grounding Cord-and-Plug Equipment
Employers must ground exposed metal parts of cord-and-plug-connected equipment that could become energized when the equipment is in hazardous classified locations, runs at over 150 volts to ground (with limited exceptions), or is a listed type. Listed types include refrigerators, washers and dryers, hand-held and stationary motor tools, lawn mowers and similar appliances, equipment used in damp or wet locations, portable X-ray equipment, tools likely used in wet conductive locations and portable hand lamps.
Key takeaways
- 1910.304(g)(6)(vi) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $31,216 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: SC (16), OR (7), NC (1).
- Related part: 1910.304(g) Grounding (598 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.304(g)(6)(vi) is one requirement inside 1910.304 Wiring design and protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). It includes 3 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
(vi) Exposed noncurrent-carrying metal parts of cord- and plug-connected equipment that may become energized shall be grounded under any of the following conditions: 29 citations
(A) If in hazardous (classified) locations (see § 1910.307);
(B) If operated at over 150 volts to ground, except for guarded motors and metal frames of electrically heated appliances if the appliance frames are permanently and effectively insulated from ground;
(C) If the equipment is of the following types: Open (g)(6)(vi)(c) 27 citations
(1) Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners;
(2) Clothes-washing, clothes-drying, and dishwashing machines, sump pumps, and electric aquarium equipment;
(3) Hand-held motor-operated tools, stationary and fixed motor-operated tools, and light industrial motor-operated tools;
(4) Motor-operated appliances of the following types: hedge clippers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and wet scrubbers;
(5) Cord- and plug-connected appliances used in damp or wet locations, or by employees standing on the ground or on metal floors or working inside of metal tanks or boilers;
(6) Portable and mobile X-ray and associated equipment;
(7) Tools likely to be used in wet and conductive locations; and
(8 Portable hand lamps.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.304.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.304(g)(6)(vi).
At 12:00 a.m. on August 15, 2024, Employee #1 was working alone at a residentialproperty, performing drain cleaning services using a pipe cleaning snake auger. The owner of Rapid Rooter attempted to contact Employee #1 multiple times throughout the day without success. Upon arriving at…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: SC (16), OR (7), NC (1), VA (1), MI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CAR SPA, INC. | WEBSTER, TX | $13,240 |
| THE MAKAI CLUB | PRINCEVILLE, HI | $2,483 |
| 76591 - ENCORE OF GREENVILLE LLC | GREENVILLE, SC | $2,275 |
| 75985 - GEORGIA PACIFIC WOOD PRODUCTS LLC | PROSPERITY, SC | $1,500 |
| 76356 - RAPID ROOTER LLC | MURRELLS INLET, SC | $1,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.304(g)(6)(vi), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.304(g)(6)(vi).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.304(g) Grounding 598 citations
- 1910.304(g)(5) Grounding path 556 citations
- 1910.304(g)(6) Supports, enclosures, and equipment to be grounded 34 citations
- 1910.304(g)(6)(vi)(C) 27 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 must cord-and-plug equipment be grounded?
When it is in hazardous (classified) locations, operated at over 150 volts to ground, or is one of the equipment types listed in the rule.
Do hand-held power tools need grounding?
Yes, hand-held motor-operated tools are on the list of equipment whose exposed metal parts that may become energized must be grounded.
Is there an exception for over 150 volts?
Yes, for guarded motors and metal frames of electrically heated appliances whose frames are permanently and effectively insulated from ground.
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.