Search
Search

Displaying Holiday Lights

Posted on 12/4/2012 by James Griffin

It’s time again to decorate for the holidays! Whether your holiday lights are red, green, blue, flashing, icicle-shaped, or still knotted in a ball in the storage room—there are several workplace lighting, electrical, and installation/wiring guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) you should be aware of before stringing up the decorations.
 
Lighting standards can be found at 29 CFR Part 1910, under the rules for electrical wiring installation. The rules, including regulations regarding grounding, wire size, and installation locations for permanent wiring can be found at §1910.304. Keep in mind that permanent wiring rules still apply regardless of the light source. For instance, OSHA standard 1910.304(c)(5) states that lights used outdoors must be placed below all live transformers, conductors, and any other electrical equipment unless adequate clearances and safeguards are provided.
 
At §1910.305, there are also rules for temporary lighting, which is where you will find specific standards for holiday lights. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
 
  • All other requirements for permanent wiring still apply to temporary wiring (unless specifically modified in §1910.305(a)(2));
  • The temporary lighting must be 600 volts, nominal, or less;
  • Holiday lights may only be up for 90 days;
  • Flexible cords and cables shall be protected from accidental damage, as might be caused, for example, by sharp corners, projections, and doorways or other pinch points;
  • Cable assemblies and flexible cords and cables shall be supported in place at intervals that ensure that they will be protected from physical damage. Support shall be in the form of staples, cables ties, straps, or similar type fittings installed so as not to cause damage; and
  • Specific rules for feeders and branch circuits.
For full requirements, check out 29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2).
 
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
 

Tags: osha

Find a Post

Recent Posts

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.

Stephanie Gilliam

Material Production/Logistics Manager

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!

Paul Harbison

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S Manager

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Spot and correct 4 of the most common universal waste errors before they result in a notice of violation during a Federal or state inspection.

Download
Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.