Originally Posted By: jtedesco This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I just searched on www.google.com for “Home Inspector Safety” and found this in the advice and safety area on a HI site.
Quote:
When you first touch the main electrical panel, do it by tapping the panel with the back of your hand. If it is hot, the shock will then knock you away rather than freezing you onto it.
I do not agree with this and will make this a "National Issue" soon when writing on the subject in my monthly column in EC&M Magazine.
I have my opinions, and you have yours!
The electrical current doesn't care what type of building you are in, and this discussion is not only for a Home Inspector, but instead a discussion on safety and staying alive!
Have you ever received a shock that was like being kicked by a horse? I have and only because of a foolish mistake.
Learn to respect electricity and stay alive.
I have over 50 different videos that show the hazards and not one gives this kind of advice.
Originally Posted By: dbozek This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Perhaps the subject line here shoud be…“Do not eat dinner before looking at the pics here”
Back of the hand eh? I agree with Joe. Who came up with that molarky? As Joe stated......a shock is a shock...and frankly I chuckled when I read that line about home inspector safety. Chances are your glow stick.....aka tick tracer......is gonna read voltage on the cover of a panel for it is made to pick up voltage through walls, behind panel covers, etc. Your best method is to check the panel cover to a known good ground to see if there is any potential on it. If you read zero, it then is safe to remove the cover. NEVER tip the panel cover as you remove it. Always pull it straight off. When working in an electrical panel.......know what you are touching. Do not ground one hand on the panel and then stick your other hand inside of the panel....nothing like completing the path for current to flow! Actually, for HI's, it is best to just do a visual on the innards of a panel and not to touch anything, especially if you are not aware of what is in the thing. Open it up.......look it over.......then close it and make your report. That is by far the safest thing you can do. Touching wires inside of a panel without knowing all that exists within the walls of that metal enclosure can be very risky if not life threatening to anyone not qualified to do such.
