An extendable device for engaging and operating a handle mounted on an electrical switching apparatus, said extendable device comprising: a first linear portion having a first end and a second end, said first linear portion extending therebetween, and a second linear portion having a first end and a second end, said second linear portion extending therebetween, said second linear portion having an inside surface that forms a chamber and having an inside distance greater than an outside distance of said first linear portion such that said first linear portion is structured to linearly move toward and away from said chamber of said second linear portion; a handle adaptor extending away from said second end (40, 45) of one of said first and second linear portions (25, 30); a spring mechanism disposed between said first and second linear portions (25, 30) and disposed within said chamber of said second linear portion, said spring mechanism structured to exert a force to linearly move said first linear portion away from said chamber of said second linear portion; and a retainer mechanism (80, 90) structured to engage said first linear portion and said second linear portion such that the extendable device can be adjusted to a particular length and maintained at said particular length, said retainer mechanism (80, 90) comprising at least one nub biased upward, said nub positioned on an outer surface of said first linear portion and a plurality of detents formed in said second linear portion, each of said plurality of detents structured to engage said at least one nub, wherein the handle adaptor is structured to engage said handle such that the handle can be moved from a first position to a different second position, the extendable device is extendable to a length that extends beyond a flash protection boundary of the electrical switching apparatus, and the extendable device is constructed of an electrically insulative material. a first linear portion having a first end and a second end, said first linear portion extending therebetween, and a second linear portion having a first end and a second end, said second linear portion extending therebetween, said second linear portion having an inside surface that forms a chamber and having an inside distance greater than an outside distance of said first linear portion such that said first linear portion is structured to linearly move toward and away from said chamber of said second linear portion; a handle adaptor extending away from said second end (40, 45) of one of said first and second linear portions (25, 30); a spring mechanism disposed between said first and second linear portions (25, 30) and disposed within said chamber of said second linear portion, said spring mechanism structured to exert a force to linearly move said first linear portion away from said chamber of said second linear portion; and a retainer mechanism (80, 90) structured to engage said first linear portion and said second linear portion such that the extendable device can be adjusted to a particular length and maintained at said particular length, said retainer mechanism (80, 90) comprising at least one nub biased upward, said nub positioned on an outer surface of said first linear portion and a plurality of detents formed in said second linear portion, each of said plurality of detents structured to engage said at least one nub, wherein the handle adaptor is structured to engage said handle such that the handle can be moved from a first position to a different second position, the extendable device is extendable to a length that extends beyond a flash protection boundary of the electrical switching apparatus, and the extendable device is constructed of an electrically insulative material.