Ericson in a letter to osha i e what are the requirements that must be met for temporary lighting strings with non heavy duty cord to acceptable to osha.
Osha temporary lighting for construction.
The occupational safety and health administration s construction regulations specifically 29 cfr 1926 401 require that lights shall be equipped with guards unless the bulb is deeply recessed.
Explosion proof self contained lights the employer shall provide and ensure that each employee uses only explosion proof self contained temporary and portable lights approved for hazardous conditions by a nationally recognized testing laboratory nrtl in any area that the atmosphere is determined to contain a concentration of flammable vapors that are at or above 10 percent of the lower.
Construction areas ramps runways corridors offices shops and storage areas shall be lighted to not less than the minimum illumination intensities listed in table d 3 while any work is in progress.
The july 17 1980 letter from mr.
Subject temporary lighting construction standards standards policy memorandum 81 328 29 cfr 1926 401 j 2 and 1926 402 an opinion of whether use of romex for temporary lighting on construction jobs is a citable hazard has been requested.
The one exception is that temporary electrical installations of more than 600 volts may only be used in emergency situations tests or temporary construction activities.
Ericson addresses issues raised by mr.
It is osha s position that temporary lighting strings used on construction sites which do not.
The type of light source does not matter as much as the minimum amount of illumination provided.
Temporary wiring shall be removed immediately upon completion of construction or the purpose for which the wiring was installed.
We know that compliance with osha lighting standards is about more than protecting your bottom line.
Receptacles for uses other than temporary lighting shall not be installed on branch circuits which supply temporary lighting.
In the case of emergencies for those working underground headlights are required.
To further conform to osha temporary lights must have exposed noncurrent carrying metal parts properly grounded and temporary lighting stringers or streamers arranged to avoid overloading.
Complying with osha lighting standards.
This is in response to your recent inquiry requesting a clarification of standards for temporary wiring and temporary lighting in heavy construction.
Osha standards state that a minimum of 5 foot candles should be used to illuminate corridors warehouses hallways general construction areas and exit ways.
1926 405 a 2 ii j temporary lighting strings used on construction sites.
Osha regulations also command that cords be kept out of any walking working area or other location where they are exposed to potential damage.