Jennybean,
Did the electrician tell you not to stand directly in front of the panel when resetting the breaker ?
Don't want to alarm you but we have investigated decapitations as a result of someone closing (resetting) a breaker into a fault condition while standing directly in front of the panel. The panel cover actually blows off the enclosure with a very significant force (15 tons per square meter). This is called an arc blast or arc flash electrical hazard and is quite common. Once you have identified the breaker you want to reset you should always stand off to the side of the panel (not in front of it) when throwing the breaker handle. The same is true for throwing a handle on a disconnect switch.
There are work practices both in OSHA regulations / standards as well as NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Standards that prohibit the manual resetting of circuit breakers untill "it has been determined that the equipment and circuit can be safely energized".
There are also requirements that you as an unqualified electrical person be trained to recognize and avoid electrical hazards which you are likely to encounter in the course of your work.
There are also training requirements for that electrician (qualified person according to OSHA)also.
Check out OSHA's site at
www.osha.gov to find out more about osha programs and safety and health in the workplace.
[This message has been edited by OSHA Professor (edited 12-08-2002).]
