Fire Safety: Answer to What's Wrong in this Picture #6?
The following was noted in a campus building. Can you find the unsafe condition(s)?
Possible Answers:This metal conduit box is being used in manner for which it was not designed. The box is intended to be mounted on a wall or other stationary object; it was not designed as a portable outlet box at the end of an extension cord. This piece of equipment is not being used in accordance with the manufacturer's intended use (violation of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.370(a) - (g) and NEC 110-3(b)). The cords are clamped with box connectors that are designed for romex-type flat cable, not flexible cord. Note the lack of insulation around the wires at the end of the box; frayed wires could result in an electrocution hazard (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1) or an electrical fault which could ultimately lead to a fire of nearby combustible materials. |
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Another example of a non-compliant extension cord. Note the missing knock-out. The plug with a missing cover cap is illegal. Dead-front plugs replaced these several years ago, because the covers fall off after a while, leaving exposed terminals.
Flexible cords must be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided which will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws (OSHA 1926.405 (g)(2)(iv)). The users of this piece of equipment failed to identify this damaged (and non-compliant) equipment and failed to remove it from service (i.e., they didn't recognize the hazard). (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)((ii). |
Updated May 21, 2008 by SAK