Safety Issues: Flexible Cords and Cables

Safety officials have long recognized the danger to people, structures, and equipment posed by flexible electrical cords of various types. As one fire department states:

Flexible cords are the cause of several fires every year for a variety of reasons:

• cords lying where they can be walked on
• items (boxes, clothing, magazines, etc.) placed on top of wires
• cords curled up on the floor, wrapped around nails, or tacked up with staples
• improper wire size for the appliance they serve

The problem extends beyond fire to the issue of personal injury due to trip and fall accidents. These various dangers have resulted in the formulation of various statutes and regulations governing the safe use of flexible cords and cables.

NEC 400-7—29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(i)
Special attention should be given to the proper installation and protection of flexible cords and cables.

FEMA Fact Sheet
Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1)
All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.

OSHA Training Fact Sheet 14
Flexible cord used in violation of this standard is likely to be damaged by activities in the area; by door or window edges; by staples or fastening; by abrasions from adjacent materials; or simply by aging. If the conductors become partially exposed over a period of time, there will be danger of shocks, burns or fire.