While helping to reshingle a farmhouse roof, a worker was handling an aluminum ladder. The ladder contacted 7,200 volts of electricity when it hit a power line. The worker was electrocuted. An electrical entry wound was later detected on his left hand, and an exit wound on his left foot.

The coroner investigating the incident issued a reminder that non-conductive ladders should always be used for work such as roofing because of the danger of electrocution.

You do not have to be in the construction business to be at risk for this type of tragedy. Home handymen and weekend builders need to remember never to use a metal ladder around any sort of electrical installation – even to change a lightbulb.