Temporary lighting strings at construction sites

September 24, 1987

Thomas O. Moore,
Safety Director
Austin Commercial, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Moore:

This is in response to your letter of September 2, requesting a clarification of 29 CFR 1926.405 for temporary wiring for lighting.

Paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(B) of 29 CFR 1926.405 allows temporary lighting branch circuits to be run as open wiring. Manufactured lighting strings are acceptable if they are accepted, certified, listed, labeled, or otherwise determined to be safe by a qualified testing laboratory. (See the definitions of "acceptable" and "qualified testing laboratory" in 29 CFR 1926.449). Additionally, the installation of the lighting string must comply with all other relevant provisions of 29 CFR 1926, subpart K (copy enclosed).

The variable working conditions at jobsites and possible alteration of misapplication of an otherwise safe piece of equipment could easily create a hazardous condition beyond the control of the equipment manufacturer. For those reasons, it is the policy of OSHA not to approve or endorse products.

If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

[Copy of construction subpart K mentioned as enclosed is not reproduced on OSHA's page.]