My employer Safety and Health Manual says this about opening older type hinged switch-boards:
Quote

Section 3:Note 7:
Where it is required that Faults staff are required to open older (pre-1960's) switch-board panels and the like, that staff member shall wear not only the provided Live gloves and Outers, but also the provided Face shield.
All staff shall turn off the Board Isolator before opening the said panel.
No company employee shall open any covers of pre-1940's wiring without first removing the Service fusing and turning off the Mains Switch.
Failure to do this (where an accident occurs), will result in displinary action.
There it is in black and white. [Linked Image]

{Message edited to fix up UBB code}

[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 09-02-2005).]