First time for me in the field was when I was 17. Up on top of a 32" ladder leaning against steal gurder.The licensed electrician at ground level told me to go ahead and rip out the old wiring, I asked twice if it was dead, with arogance and attitude he replied hes damn it! Just do what I tell you. I grabed hold of the wiring while holding onto the steal with my other hand for support. THUG! I got belted and couldn't let go for a few seconds. He looks up at me and says " r u getting zapped?" The electricity of 277v ran through my whole upper body including which felt like my head. I said in so many words, you said this was dead! He replys, "oh I forgot about the emergency line" Thanx a lot yah jerk. I couldn't function properly for a couple of hours with him telling me to get back to work. I was head down on a table half asleep. At the time I wanted out, but I definately learned a valuable lesson. I don't care how experienced you are, I'm never gonna just trust anyone again before I check it myself. I wanted revenge on that guy, turned out several years later he was involved in a severe accident and is now a parapalegic. Wouldn't wish this on anyone, starnge how it ended up though.