Standard Interpretations

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Each letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.

1926.404 - A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter may not be used in lieu of a tester or meter that can test for continuity of the equipment grounding conductor. - 05/16/1989
1926.404 - Approval of Portable Generators by a qualified testing laboratory. - 10/01/1991
1926.404 - CSHO use of external GFCI testers to enforce 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1) - 07/09/2003
1926.404 - Ground continuity monitoring devices. - 12/01/1991
1926.404 - Ground fault circuit interrupters on extension cords and portable tools. - 11/04/1992
1926.404 - Relevance of NFPA 70E industry consensus standard to OSHA requirements; whether OSHA requirements apply to owners. - 07/25/2003
1926.404 - Repair requirements for the cord plug (attachment plug) of double-insulated tools. - 05/19/2003
1926.404 - Requirements of 1926.404(b)(1) application to 208-volt branch circuits; electrical subcontractor requirements under 1926.404(b)(1) to monitor other on-site subcontractors. - 02/07/2005
1926.404 - Use of approved GFCI's that do not have open-neutral protection. - 07/07/2003
1926.404 - Whether extension cords may be repaired and returned to use. - 04/04/2010
1926.404(a)(2) - Acceptable job-made extension cords. - 06/17/1992
1926.404(a)(2) - Contractor shop-made extension cords. - 03/03/1992
1926.404(a)(2) - Use of flexible cords for connection of appliances; scaffold base plates. - 07/20/1998
1926.404(b) - Application of 1926.404(b)(1) to 208-volt branch circuits; requirement for electrical subcontractor under 1926.404(b)(1) to provide ground-fault circuit interrupters on circuits used by other subcontractors - 03/22/2005
1926.404(b) - Ground fault protection requirements for 120-volt and/or 240-volt circuits. - 05/15/2002
1926.404(b) - Possible Hazard in the Use of GFCI Worn on an Employee's Belt. - 12/09/1986
1926.404(b) - Use of approved GFCI's that do not have open-neutral protection. - 07/07/2003
1926.404(b)(1) - Application of 1926.404(b)(1) to 208-volt branch circuits; requirement for electrical subcontractor under 1926.404(b)(1) to provide ground-fault circuit interrupters on circuits used by other subcontractors - 03/22/2005
1926.404(b)(1) - CSHO use of external GFCI testers to enforce 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1) - 07/09/2003
1926.404(b)(1) - Extension Cords Connected to Permanent Wiring of a Construction Site Building - 04/18/1991
1926.404(b)(1) - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Information - 02/10/1992
1926.404(b)(1) - Ground-fault protection for branch circuits. - 09/17/1992
1926.404(b)(1) - Information on ground fault circuit Interrupters - 02/04/1992
1926.404(b)(1) - Requirements for cord sets connected to permanent wiring. - 04/15/1992
1926.404(b)(1) - Requirements of 1926.404(b)(1) application to 208-volt branch circuits; electrical subcontractor requirements under 1926.404(b)(1) to monitor other on-site subcontractors. - 02/07/2005
1926.404(b)(1)(i) - Application of 1926.404(b)(1) to 208-volt branch circuits; requirement for electrical subcontractor under 1926.404(b)(1) to provide ground-fault circuit interrupters on circuits used by other subcontractors - 03/22/2005
1926.404(b)(1)(i) - CSHO use of external GFCI testers to enforce 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1) - 07/09/2003
1926.404(b)(1)(i) - Ground fault protection for a construction job-site trailer. - 02/16/1993
1926.404(b)(1)(i) - Ground fault protection requirements for 120-volt and/or 240-volt circuits. - 05/15/2002
1926.404(b)(1)(i) - Marking recognition, regulations and policy of double insulated power tools - 11/08/1985
1926.404(b)(1)(i) - Requirements of 1926.404(b)(1) application to 208-volt branch circuits; electrical subcontractor requirements under 1926.404(b)(1) to monitor other on-site subcontractors. - 02/07/2005
1926.404(b)(1)(i) - Use of approved GFCI's that do not have open-neutral protection. - 07/07/2003
1926.404(b)(1)(ii) - Application of 1926.404(b)(1) to 208-volt branch circuits; requirement for electrical subcontractor under 1926.404(b)(1) to provide ground-fault circuit interrupters on circuits used by other subcontractors - 03/22/2005
1926.404(b)(1)(ii) - CSHO use of external GFCI testers to enforce 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1) - 07/09/2003
1926.404(b)(1)(ii) - GFCI and coverplate requirements in construction;use of fall arrest systems and scaffolding. - 10/14/1999
1926.404(b)(1)(ii) - Ground fault protection requirements for 120-volt and/or 240-volt circuits. - 05/15/2002
1926.404(b)(1)(ii) - Proper equipment for testing ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). - 12/09/1993
1926.404(b)(1)(ii) - Requirements of 1926.404(b)(1) application to 208-volt branch circuits; electrical subcontractor requirements under 1926.404(b)(1) to monitor other on-site subcontractors. - 02/07/2005
1926.404(b)(1)(ii) - Use of approved GFCI's that do not have open-neutral protection. - 07/07/2003
1926.404(b)(1)(ii) - Use of flexible cords for connection of appliances; scaffold base plates. - 07/20/1998
1926.404(b)(1)(iii) - Application of 1926.404(b)(1) to 208-volt branch circuits; requirement for electrical subcontractor under 1926.404(b)(1) to provide ground-fault circuit interrupters on circuits used by other subcontractors - 03/22/2005
1926.404(b)(1)(iii) - CSHO use of external GFCI testers to enforce 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1) - 07/09/2003
1926.404(b)(1)(iii) - GFCI and coverplate requirements in construction;use of fall arrest systems and scaffolding. - 10/14/1999
1926.404(b)(1)(iii) - Requirements of 1926.404(b)(1) application to 208-volt branch circuits; electrical subcontractor requirements under 1926.404(b)(1) to monitor other on-site subcontractors. - 02/07/2005
1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(C) - Repair requirements for the cord plug (attachment plug) of double-insulated tools. - 05/19/2003
1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(C) - Replacing electrical cords - 04/18/2014
1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(C) - Whether extension cords may be repaired and returned to use. - 04/04/2010
1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(D) - Extension cord grounding continuity requirements. - 08/09/1993
1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(E) - Extension cord grounding continuity requirements. - 08/09/1993
1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(G) - Extension cord grounding continuity requirements. - 08/09/1993
1926.404(b)(2) - Electric power tools: grounding, NRTL approval, and suitable circuit connection. - 06/12/2000
1926.404(f)(3) - Repair requirements for the cord plug (attachment plug) of double-insulated tools. - 05/19/2003
1926.404(f)(3)(i) - Wiring, Extension Cords and Grounding. - 09/03/1993
1926.404(f)(7) - Repair requirements for the cord plug (attachment plug) of double-insulated tools. - 05/19/2003
1926.404(f)(7)(i) - Protection of employees from exposure to live electrical parts with plastic switch plates/receptacle cover and non-conductive screws. - 09/17/2004
1926.404(f)(7)(iv) - Electric power tools: grounding, NRTL approval, and suitable circuit connection. - 06/12/2000
1926.404(f)(7)(iv) - Repair requirements for the cord plug (attachment plug) of double-insulated tools. - 05/19/2003

OSH Act - Section 5(a)(1)