Red Seal Electrician Practice
Safety and work practicesQuestion 599 of 1506

If live work cannot be avoided, why is it advised to use only one hand on a circuit at hazardous voltage?

  1. It lets the worker hold the tool more tightly and steadily.
  2. It raises the body resistance to a safe value for the work.
  3. It avoids a hand-to-hand current path through the chest.
  4. It keeps the heart far away from the voltage source.
Show answer

Correct answer: It avoids a hand-to-hand current path through the chest.

A path from hand to hand crosses the chest, near the heart and lungs. Keeping one hand clear avoids that path.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits I: DC (Kuphaldt), 3.4: Ohm’s Law (again)

Practice safety and work practices

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026