It would be even safer to use a voltage detector, multimeter, wiggie, or other pratical and safe means, rather than to "short" the circuit. But as a pratical means when lockout tagout is not available, once you are sure a circuit is not live, intentional short circuit bolting can help you if somebody trys to energize the circuit while you are working on it. He gets the kaboom on his end. This last little tip is more for work on panels, transformers, switchgear and the like. Best bang for the buck is lockout-tagout.
