Aluminum step ladder

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JoeNorm

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For residential work I want the lightest ladder available. That ladder happens to be made of aluminum. I have been told it's a no no for electricians to use aluminum but for rough-in and work not near live parts the risks associated with their use are not really there.

Can I make my own assessment on this or is there somewhere in a code that prohibits their use for an electrician?
 
JoeNorm said:
For residential work I want the lightest ladder available. That ladder happens to be made of aluminum. I have been told it's a no no for electricians to use aluminum but for rough-in and work not near live parts the risks associated with their use are not really there.

Can I make my own assessment on this or is there somewhere in a code that prohibits their use for an electrician?
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If there's no possibility of working on energized parts, there's nothing wrong with using an aluminum ladder. Using an aluminum ladder for installing never-energized materials, is no different than a carpenter, plumber, or ductwork installer using an aluminum ladder.

What you want to standardize on using as an electrician, is a fiberglass ladder, or other equivalent electrical insulating material, so it electrically insulates you from the ground. This way, when working on energized parts, you are a "bird on the wire". Touch an energized part with just one hand, and there is no closed circuit through you.

For working on parts that once were energized, there is a possibility of stored energy in a circuit, even if you shut it off from the source. Both in physically-constructed capacitors, and in parasitic capacitance. There also is the possibility, that you shut off the wrong circuit breaker. So always check with your meter, before working on it, and don't assume it is safe. Standardizing on using a fiberglass ladder, is another precaution that can mitigate your risk that you are shocked by phantom voltage.
 
I don't see the issue generally. Even with a conductive ladder, the floor will typically be non-conductive. Even if it's a bare concrete slab, the ladder probably has rubber feet. I use aluminum extension ladders all the time to cut service drops and whatnot. I prefer them because they are lighter
 
Imo, if you are working on energized stuff, an aluminum ladder is no worse than standing on the ground as far as shock hazard goes

However, if you do get shocked it might be safer to be on the ground instead of 10 feet up in the air.

Otoh, you are not supposed to be working on energized circuits for the most part.
 
electrofelon said:
I don't see the issue generally. Even with a conductive ladder, the floor will typically be non-conductive. Even if it's a bare concrete slab, the ladder probably has rubber feet. I use aluminum extension ladders all the time to cut service drops and whatnot. I prefer them because they are lighter
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I use aluminum extension ladders too. I was tired of lugging around a hundred pound fiberglass. There was a bigger danger of me breaking my back carrying a fiberglass ladder than working off an aluminum ladder.

That brings up another gripe. Why do the safety guys consider it so unsafe for me to stand on a pallet or a loader bucket at the end of a Lull/telehandler to work twenty-five feet off the ground even if I'm tied off, but climbing an extension ladder is just fine.
 
ActionDave said:
That brings up another gripe. Why do the safety guys consider it so unsafe for me to stand on a pallet or a loader bucket at the end of a Lull/telehandler to work twenty-five feet off the ground even if I'm tied off, but climbing an extension ladder is just fine.
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As long as the safety rope is securely tied around your neck I see no problem.

:)
 
petersonra said:
Imo, if you are working on energized stuff, an aluminum ladder is no worse than standing on the ground as far as shock hazard goes

However, if you do get shocked it might be safer to be on the ground instead of 10 feet up in the air.

Otoh, you are not supposed to be working on energized circuits for the most part.
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If your ten feet in the air when hitting enough power to stop your heart. When you fall the impact will restart your heart. (y)
 
ActionDave said:
That brings up another gripe. Why do the safety guys consider it so unsafe for me to stand on a pallet or a loader bucket at the end of a Lull/telehandler to work twenty-five feet off the ground even if I'm tied off, but climbing an extension ladder is just fine.
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It's because of all the geers and hydralics. If the driver is distracted and takes his foot off the clutch. Or if he inadvetrently hit the gear.
 
ActionDave said:
Oh. Of course. No one's feet ever slip off a ladder rung, the bottom of an extension ladder never kicks out and sends someone rapidly, unexpectedly to the ground.
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Maybe you should be using a safety rope when on a ladder. Personally I think extension ladders should be tied off so they are less likely to move.
 
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