Jobsite Temporary Power Safety

• Electric shock from damaged cords or tools
• Temporary power used in wet or damp conditions
• Missing or failed GFCI protection
• Overloaded circuits, power strips, or extension cords
• Trip hazards from cords across walking paths
• Improper repairs or unauthorized electrical work

Temporary power is common on jobsites, but it creates serious hazards when cords, panels, generators, tools, and connections are not installed or used correctly. Temporary does not mean informal or improvised.

Cords and electrical equipment should be inspected before use. Damaged insulation, missing ground pins, exposed wiring, crushed cords, loose plugs, cracked boxes, and taped repairs should be taken out of service.

GFCI protection is a critical safeguard when using temporary power, especially outdoors or in damp locations. Workers should use required protection and report outlets or devices that do not work properly.

Wet conditions increase electrical risk. Cords, plugs, power tools, and connections should be kept out of standing water and protected from rain, mud, and splash exposure whenever possible.

Temporary circuits should not be overloaded. Daisy-chaining power strips, using undersized cords, or plugging too many tools into one source can create fire and shock hazards.

Cord routing matters. Cords across walkways, stairs, ladders, doorways, vehicle paths, or material handling areas can create trip hazards and can be damaged by traffic or equipment.

Workers should not make electrical repairs unless they are qualified and authorized. Field-made repairs, exposed splices, bypassed safety devices, or altered plugs can create serious hazards.

Temporary power safety depends on inspection and control. Use the right source, protect workers from shock, keep cords out of damage paths, and stop using anything that looks unsafe.

• Inspect cords, plugs, tools, and temporary panels before use.
• Use GFCI protection when required.
• Keep electrical connections out of water and mud.
• Do not overload circuits or daisy-chain power strips.
• Route cords to prevent trips and damage.
• Remove damaged cords and tools from service.
• Do not perform electrical repairs unless qualified and authorized.

• Are temporary cords and connections in good condition?
• Is GFCI protection being used where required?
• Could cords be exposed to water, mud, vehicles, or sharp edges?
• Are circuits or extension cords overloaded?
• Has damaged electrical equipment been removed from service?