do you guys usually work with the circuits live?
NO. Extreme circumstances only. You, as an apprentice. the answer SHALL BE NEVER.
So my second question is, how often do you guys get shocked?
Close to every day. When I see well trained educated MORONS do something stupid.
DON"T be one of them. Shocked and Electrocution, is less than a heart beat away.
Don't put your friends and colleagues in that position ( to notify the family, That su&ks!!! (some of us know)).
I received a s brief shock at 347 the other day working in a live J-box where conduit was installed right under it and I guess i grounded my elbow... it was a surprise more than anything but makes me wonder at what point can i hurt myself?
SUPRISE!!! Your still here!!! You did hurt yourself, only mildly. Don't put yourself in that position again.
Just BE smart and safe. YOU MAKE ALL YOUR OWN CALLS. You can't be replaced.
We always try to be careful, but mistakes do happen and I just want to see how frequently this happens to you sparkies out there.
The smart ones? Very rarely, unless they become lazy or set up.
One concept I was offered during my apprenticeship, was that "All wires of any type (even ground wires and neutrals) shall be treated as live, until such time as it is confirmed with proven test equipment, that they are not"
I've never forgotten that line.