Can a Hot Line Clamp be used as a ground clamp for a short duration?

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A ground path must be a proven, low-impedance connection that can safely carry fault current. A hot-line clamp is built to contact an energized conductor for live-line work and is not designed to provide a reliable grounding path. It may have insulation, different contact geometry, or materials that aren’t rated for fault currents or for bonding to a grounded system. Because of that, the clamp can fail to maintain a solid ground, slip off, or arc, creating shock or arc-flash hazards for the worker and equipment. For safety, use a proper ground clamp that is rated for the circuit’s voltage and fault current, and follow the standard procedures—never use a hot-line clamp as a ground clamp, even for a short duration.