Our third and final post in our It’s Electrifying series focuses on electrical cord maintenance. Follow these inspection tips to ensure electrical cords are safe to use.

• Only 3-prong extension cords with correct rating may be used. 
• Check your cords rating AND the equipment’s amps to ensure the cord is compatible with the equipment.

• Tools and cords should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure everyone’s safety. Questions to ask during inspection include:

1. Is there any insulation showing?
2. Is there any twisting of the wire inside the extension cord?
3. Is there proper strain relief?
4. Is the cord wired correctly?

• Damaged cords or cords showing insulation should be removed from service and tagged, “DO NOT USE” 
• Tools or cords tagged “DO NOT USE” should be repaired or disposed of immediately.
• Flexible cords should always be used in continuous lengths without splicing or taping. This means NO ELECTRICAL TAPE should ever be used to splice two lengths together. 
• Hard service flexible cords No. 12 or larger may be repaired, if repaired by a designated Competent Person and the cord is repaired back to original quality.

Taking a few extra moments to inspect the cords on your job site or at home may just save a life.