Thanks for sharing that Randy … much appreciated!
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Words of wisdom Larry.
I hope all remove. But to each his own.
Thanks, much appreciated 
It seems to cross the line regarding personal possessions. I am not hired by seller and without a contract with the seller one might be careful about personal items. Panel covers are an inherent built in feature. I do move small stuff but draw a line when needed. I once broke a bottle of lilac toilet water and left note for seller. They sent me Amazon link and that stuff cost 250. Not touching stuff is liability control and courtesy combined
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Hello Scott, I too am a new inspector, actually just got my license and will be starting on my own as an independent contractor with a large firm as soon as my life insurance policy is in tact. I have been shadowing a couple very experienced inspectors for several months now, and have probably removed 20 or so panel covers on my own and not had any issues so far thankfully!
I have a young daughter at home though, so now that I’m going out on my own soon I’ve been touching up on, and trying to learn as much as possible on the safety side of things, especially some of the systems/components that I’m not as familiar with by my own admittance.
I’ve been reading a lot of these forums on electrical, and everyone seems to have their own opinions. Some say you are a sissy for wearing PPE. Some say it’s a must, etc…In fact, some on here seem to want to argue with each other more than help. I’m not into pissing contests! One comment that you made actually has me curious about my options. You mentioned never threading screws in with your bare hands. Like I said already, I have probably done it 20 times already, but I always had someone standing there watching me in case something happened. Now that I will be on my own, and don’t really give a damn if someone thinks I’m a sissy for using PPE, I am going to invest in and use it. I do plan on using the handle magnets, safety glasses, insulated screwdrivers (although most use a power screwdriver and that would be nice just haven’t found one that says it’s insulated), rubber-soled boots, etc. But I’m curious as to what you use when threading screws? I have worked in construction enough and with my hands enough to know that trying to thread a tiny screw into a panel with electrical gloves on would be a real pain in the ass. That being said I completely agree that if you are threading that screw into the panel with bare hands and it touches a live wire your hand really isn’t going to be protected!
Sorry for the long reply for such a simple question, but I figured I would explain myself/my situation a little better before I got my throat jumped down 
I know I’m not going to want to wear big cumbersome gloves so don’t really want to spend $50+ on a good set if there are better options that would protect me and still allow dexterity.
Thanks in advance!
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I looked at what was in the way of the screw insertion while I had the dead front cover off. And, made sure that there was no potential for the screws to hit any wires.
Then, I would start 2 screws without gloves and finish them all with a ratcheting insulated screw driver.
P.S. Welcome to our forum Cory!..enjoy! 
Thanks Larry! Good to know we inspectors have resources like this!!!
Like Larry said when the cover is off look to see if any of the screws will possibly contact a conductor when re-installing. The ones that are visibly clear of an obstruction can be installed by hand to hold the cover in place then you can use an insulated tool to finish the screw installation. There is nothing wrong with being cautious and using PPE.
Thanks man! Yeah, if it means making it home to my family I’m going to take every necessary precaution!!! Got too much living and fishing to do and a little girl to raise 
I never thought of using hand magnets before. What a simple, but smart idea!
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Scott, they sell the on Inspector Outlet: Powerful Ergonomic Handle Magnet – Inspector Outlet
I used them, too, and they worked great!
So Larry, if I plan on using the magnets just because I think it will make holding onto the panel so much easier, and will always have one hand on one of them of course, but want to use gloves just to protect my hands while I’m taking the screws out, which would you recommend? I’ll be using insulated screwdriver, so more concerned about protecting my hands when grabbing the screws so big bulky 1000v electricians gloves don’t seem very user friendly. Do I just get the mechanic-style electricians gloves? I did see a pair that were a combination of different materials that were supposedly burn proof and abrasion resistant, but that was on Amazon and who the hell knows what you are getting on some of that stuff there!?
That is what I used. Rubber coated…
They fit more snug and were easier to manipulate the screws with.
And, don’t forget to test the cover with a voltage tester or quickly with the back of your fingers…a quick slid across the corner.
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I also use the hand magnets to hold the panel screws from getting lost or dropping them. I do, however, keep an assortment of panel screws I have accumulated in my truck. If I see an improper screw, such as a wood screw, drywall screw, etc. or a missing screw I replace it.
And, don’t forget your eye protection whenever removing a dead front.
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Sounds good thank you! I always test the panels first with my Fluke tester!!! 
Thanks man! Yeah I spent $6,600 on custom Lasik eye surgery a few years back (best money I ever spent by the way would highly recommend it!!!) so I’ll definitely be keeping several pairs of safety glasses in my tool-kit. Can I just get the cover screws from a local electrical supply store? I was probably going to go to one anyhow and make a small key-chain with short pieces of all the different sizes of wires for easy reference anyhow so would just pick them up there when I go.
And after taking only 20 or so covers off I can’t believe more people don’t use the magnets!!! Just seems like a no-brainer!!!
Yes, but you’ll come across many laying around, especially on new construction, where they don’t bother to pick up the ones they drop or they leave a pile of extras behind because the company is paying for them. I just collected the discards and had more than I would use in a lifetime. They also vary by panel type and length - the organic collection method will leave you with variety.
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