1910.334(a)(2): Inspect Cords and Plug-In Tools
Employers must make sure portable cord-and-plug tools and extension cords are visually checked before use on every shift for loose parts, bent or missing pins, damaged jackets and signs of internal damage. Damaged items must be removed from service until repaired and tested, and plugs must match the receptacle before connecting.
Key takeaways
- 1910.334(a)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 830 times in the last 3 years, in 767 inspections, with $820,092 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CT (79), VA (78), TN (55).
- Related part: 1910.334(a) Portable electric equipment (956 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2) ("Visual inspection") is one requirement inside 1910.334 Use of equipment, 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
(2) Visual inspection. 830 citations
(i) Portable cord- and plug-connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) shall be visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket). Cord- and plug-connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) which remain connected once they are put in place and are not exposed to damage need not be visually inspected until they are relocated. Open (a)(2)(i) 344 citations
(ii) If there is a defect or evidence of damage that might expose an employee to injury, the defective or damaged item shall be removed from service, and no employee may use it until repairs and tests necessary to render the equipment safe have been made. Open (a)(2)(ii) 484 citations
(iii) When an attachment plug is to be connected to a receptacle (including any on a cord set), the relationship of the plug and receptacle contacts shall first be checked to ensure that they are of proper mating configurations. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.334.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.334(a)(2).
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…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 57 |
| 2024 | 326 |
| 2025 | 289 |
| 2026 | 158 |
Top states: CT (79), VA (78), TN (55), TX (53), NC (48)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TINDALL CORPORATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $14,187 |
| CALGON CARBON CORPORATION | BLOOMFIELD, NM | $13,660 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $13,415 |
| CRESCO LABS, INC. | FALL RIVER, MA | $11,585 |
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $11,348 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.334(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of the Electrical Standard as it applies to flexible power cords on appliances. (1997-09-09)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.334(a) Portable electric equipment 956 citations
- 1910.334(a)(2)(ii) 484 citations
- 1910.334(a)(2)(i) 344 citations
- 1910.334(a)(3) Grounding-type equipment 80 citations
- 1910.334(a)(3)(i) 52 citations
- 1910.334(a)(1) Handling 29 citations
- 1910.334(a)(3)(ii) 26 citations
- 1910.334(a)(4) Conductive work locations 15 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must extension cords be inspected?
Before use on any shift. Cords that stay connected and are not exposed to damage do not need checking until they are moved.
What do I look for when inspecting a cord?
Loose parts, deformed or missing pins, damage to the outer jacket or insulation, and pinched or crushed spots that may mean internal damage.
What happens to a damaged cord?
It must be removed from service, and no one may use it until it has been repaired and tested to be safe.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.334 (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.