Anyone here know any OSHA regulations ?

[Kern Dog]

I need to know what the maximum length is for power cords connected to an electrical tool.
I am having trouble finding any information on this. I wired a 50 foot cord into a drill and nobody called me on it.
In every new circular saw that I get, I wire in a 100 foot TwistLock power cord. I don't like the thin and short cord they come with and I need the Twistlock pattern anyway. I've heard a few times over the years that the 100 foot cord is an OSHA violation but I can't find any evidence that it actually is. It my be buried in their regulations somewhere but I can't find it. I've heard just as many people say that it is NOT a violation so I don't know what to believe. Anyone know the truth or know where I can find it?

 

[69L48Z27]

Rule 2 says 100’.

https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2016...n-Cord-Rules-to-Improve-Work-Site-Safety.aspx

 

[Grabbergreendream]

I just grazed through the rules and it doesnt make any mention of length as a standard but a few grey areas where it touches on modification to chords...
There may be more info inside but again, I didn't study it...
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9911&p_table=standards

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Why are you using a corded drill these days.

 

[Kern Dog]

Shoot, I have had to string out 300 feet of power cords several times....just to get the job done.

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

i can see that with cut off saws, but with battery pack drills n skill saws makes things a lot easier,and no cords wrapped around your feet.

 

[BDF6]

Is the tool double insulated?
Here's some older info:
Scroll down to Repair of Double Insulated tools.
http://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2003-05-19

Sounds like we're not supposed to crack them open?

 

[Kern Dog]

Why are you using a corded drill these days.

Yeah....
I worked a job earlier this year where all the electricians used cordless stuff, even the Hole Hawgs that are really powerful.
Cordless drills are fine if you have several spare batteries to rotate through for long jobs. The batteries are not cheap though.

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

nothing cheap any more,we wait for good sales n always checking the for sale adds for good ones

 

[BDF6]

KD, were you wondering how long of an extension cord you could use OR re-wiring your power tool with a longer cord?

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

back to your question on length of cord i would say that is the extension cord length,as quoted earlier the saws are not to be tampered with unless buy a qualified electrian n than it must be tagged,ie as fixing a cut cord, thats the way its regulated here in ontario

 

[Kern Dog]

KD, were you wondering how long of an extension cord you could use OR re-wiring your power tool with a longer cord?

The latter.
I have a 100 foot cord wired into the handle as if it were built that way.

 

[Kern Dog]

back to your question on length of cord i would say that is the extension cord length,as quoted earlier the saws are not to be tampered with unless buy a qualified electrian n than it must be tagged,ie as fixing a cut cord, thats the way its regulated here in ontario

Yeah....Nobody that I know is going to take their saw in to have an electrician repair the cord unless they are a real dork. Seriously.

 

[BigCountryMopar]

Maybe these LOI (letters of interpretation) will be of some help. http://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2003-05-19
Also can reference 1926.403
Looks like according to 1926.405(g)(2)(iii) as long as it isn’t spliced it should be okay.

 

[mopar 3 B]

That cord must be a pain to drag around all day. One hundred feet would have to be 12 ga. at least.

 

[kiwigtx]

The latter.
I have a 100 foot cord wired into the handle as if it were built that way.

That's a bit stupid...how are you planning to unplug that if the drill jams up and your hand is pinned against a piece of timber. Don't laugh, I have had that happen (many years ago) when I was up a ladder, and using a gear-reduction electric drill. I had smoke pouring out of the drill before my inattentive apprentice managed to unplug for me. And my drill only had about 3 metres of cord (10 feet).

Maximum length over here is 30 metres, which is around 100 foot - in total for extension cords.

 

[kiwigtx]

Yeah....Nobody that I know is going to take their saw in to have an electrician repair the cord unless they are a real dork. Seriously.

I have seen some really 'good' electrical work done by non-electricians.

Take a look at various sites like "Crappy Electrical" and "You only had one job"

 

[Kern Dog]

It is 12 gauge. Sometimes the power supply is 50 or more feet away from where I am working. I mostly frame roofs and rarely will you find a power box up there.

 

[Kern Dog]

That's a bit stupid...

It is not stupid. It is a 3/8" drill that does not have a grab handle. I used it for drilling 1/8" holes in a series of studs and ledgers.

Sometimes we have to drill holes and then drive the nails through them to avoid splitting the wood.

 

[kiwigtx]

I was called out yesterday to an electric motor fault....dopey operator tripped over the cord, and said nothing to his colleagues. ...
In a bread crumb factory....previous guy left the second entry hole open, and terminal box was fill of flour. Fire waiting to happen.