Vent: The new apprentice just used my Klein lineman's pliers to cut a live 12-gauge wire.

I left my tool bag open for two minutes while I grabbed a breaker from the truck. Came back and saw the cut end still smoking. He said he 'thought it was fine' because the wire was in a junction box. What's the dumbest thing you've seen a green helper do on a job site?

3 comments

3 Comments

matthewbarnes1mo ago

Was he trying to make a quick fuse? First thing tomorrow, sit him down with a scrap piece and a meter. Show him how to test, then cut. Makes me miss the steak knife guy @davis.leo mentioned, at least that was a dead wire.

davis.leo1mo ago

My first helper tried stripping Romex with a steak knife.

betty_shah24d ago

My uncle swears by using a pocket knife for everything, even stripping wires. He says it builds character, but I've seen his "repairs.