Metal Ladders

[paul161]

I am a trainee electrician i was replacing light fittings with the circuit still live i was using a metal step ladder. I was told in college that you should use a wooden one or a fibreglass one. The electrican i was working with just earth the metal ladder with a wire and two big clamps one attached the the ladder and one attached to a metal pipe.
I was under the impression the reason for using wooden or fibreglass ladders is so that you are not earthed.
Is he right to earth ladders?

 

[Madmole]

Are you sure he is an electrician and not a kitchen fitter?

Why the hell are you working live? I'm pretty certain your college course told you that its illegal except in very few exceptional circumstances (and doing lights aint one of them)

 

[DurhamSparky]

either way it still hurts if standing on metal or wooden ladders.... (i have fiberglass)

 

[davelerave]

I am a trainee electrician i was replacing light fittings with the circuit still live i was using a metal step ladder. I was told in college that you should use a wooden one or a fibreglass one. The electrican i was working with just earth the metal ladder with a wire and two big clamps one attached the the ladder and one attached to a metal pipe.
I was under the impression the reason for using wooden or fibreglass ladders is so that you are not earthed.
Is he right to earth ladders?

no-you shouldn't earth the ladder

you should be isolated when working live and taking precautions against 'direct contact'-ie: tools and gloves

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Earthing ladders????????............I've heard it all now.

 

[cbw]

SCARY.

I use a fiberglass ladder, just incase I make a huge stupid mistake, cant see the need to change light fittings live?

 

[andyb]

I think you are the victim of a practical joke,

If not, find another employer.

 

[paul161]

I have only been training for six weeks. I was under the impression that earthing ladders was the wrong thing to do because if you get a shock your making a connection between live and earth.

 

[Madmole]

That is correct, by providing a path to earth you are increasing the chances of you going seriously bang. If it was a good idea, dont you think all electricians ladders would be made with flying leads instead of insulated material.

Trust what you were taught at college and not the idiots you work with. Remember how they had you using proving units to triple verify a dead circuit befpore you worked on it. Are you SURE they are electricians you work with. Sounds like you need to find someone else to learn from

DO NOT WORK LIVE. end of story

 

[skiandy]

Unbeliveable Sounds like your employer should go back to college! There is no need to work live, and the ladder earthing is one of the most stupid things I have ever heard of! Please tell me your not told to use those cheap neon screwdrivers to prove the supplys are dead as well!

 

[GStueyXR]

When he earthed the ladder, he was just makin sure that if you got a shock, you were not around to sue him.

Take a leaf out of my book and throw a hammer at him tomorrow, shattering his collar bone and earning you a P45

 

[davelerave]

definitely if this is true-time to find another employer as you will learn nothing from this 'maniac' anyway

 

[RexT]

Hi Paul161,

I agree with the others. I worked in a college instructing and it is very important to prevent contact with live parts....the electricity at work regs 1989 are mandatory and you must take steps (sorry about the pun) to prevent danger.
You should always carry out the safe isolation proceedure and work dead. If you have any doubts you can check out with any competent electrical body if you think you are being given duff advice here. I agree with the comment 'SCARY'.

Best wishes

Rex

 

[Phil]

i have fibreglass ladders very kindly provided to me free of charge, as to why you would work live well, at least you have had plenty of people tell you on here now, so please for your own sake learn at an early stage of your career not to do it as bad habits die hard and so does the electrician. next time earth your gaffer instead of the ladders then he can be part of it what a chump he is

 

[chris gray]

When he earthed the ladder, he was just makin sure that if you got a shock, you were not around to sue him.

Take a leaf out of my book and throw a hammer at him tomorrow, shattering his collar bone and earning you a P45

yep thats the exact advice id give

 

[Spudnik]

Wooden and fibreglass ladders and steps are designed to protect you in the rare occasion that a live conductor should touch it whilst you are on it.

 

[Hawk81]

you have been training for 6 weeks and your employer has asked yot to work live. What is he thinking???? And then to top that he gives you earthed metal steps. Do NOT work for this clown again.

 

[davelerave]

Wooden and fibreglass ladders and steps are designed to protect you in the rare occasion that a live conductor should touch it whilst you are on it.

most importantly they isolate the sparkie

but ya if a metal ladder became live you would get a 'belt' when climbing on or off

-but earthing makes it more dangerous as the main risk is direct /indirect contact if working live on the ladder