1926.908: Detonating Cord
Detonating cord must suit the bore hole, stemming and explosives, and be handled with the same care as other explosives. Cut it from the spool before loading the rest of the hole, make connections by approved methods, and keep lines free of loops, sharp kinks or angles pointing back toward the detonation. Inspect all connections before firing, and bring trunkline detonators to the loading area only when everything else is ready.
Key takeaways
- 1926.908 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart U).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.908, "Use of detonating cord", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart U). It has 10 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.908 (10 paragraphs)
(a) Care shall be taken to select a detonating cord consistent with the type and physical condition of the bore hole and stemming and the type of explosives used.
(b) Detonating cord shall be handled and used with the same respect and care given other explosives.
(c) The line of detonating cord extending out of a bore hole or from a charge shall be cut from the supply spool before loading the remainder of the bore hole or placing additional charges.
(d) Detonating cord shall be handled and used with care to avoid damaging or severing the cord during and after loading and hooking-up.
(e) Detonating cord connections shall be competent and positive in accordance with approved and recommended methods. Knot-type or other cord-to-cord connections shall be made only with detonating cord in which the explosive core is dry.
(f) All detonating cord trunklines and branchlines shall be free of loops, sharp kinks, or angles that direct the cord back toward the oncoming line of detonation.
(g) All detonating cord connections shall be inspected before firing the blast.
(h) When detonating cord millisecond-delay connectors or short-interval-delay electric blasting caps are used with detonating cord, the practice shall conform strictly to the manufacturer's recommendations.
(i) When connecting a blasting cap or an electric blasting cap to detonating cord, the cap shall be taped or otherwise attached securely along the side or the end of the detonating cord, with the end of the cap containing the explosive charge pointed in the direction in which the detonation is to proceed.
(j) Detonators for firing the trunkline shall not be brought to the loading area nor attached to the detonating cord until everything else is in readiness for the blast.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.908.
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Frequently asked questions
When must detonating cord connections be inspected?
All detonating cord connections must be inspected before firing the blast.
When may knot-type connections be used?
Only with detonating cord in which the explosive core is dry.
When can trunkline detonators be brought to the loading area?
Not until everything else is in readiness for the blast.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.908 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.