Precautions while working on high voltage equipment

Electron Beam Welding(EBW) machines generally operate on accelerating voltages of 60Kv to 150Kv. There is rule in Russia that those who work on such machines must pass an examination. Classes were conducted for all students, teaching us what precautions must be taken to handle the high voltage equipment. We were taught how to check glows and ensure that we use the tools and tackles rated for repairing high voltage equipment.While repairing any electrical system we should switch off the mains and remove the fuses and keep it with you and not leave them at the fuse board. Otherwise some body may see the fuse board open and fuses lying unplugged and may insert the plugs leading to disaster. There were many DO's and DONT's which we had to remember and at the end of the course we had a written exam and viva. I failed the exam even though I thought I did well. I failed for the second time and I went and complained to my Professor. He smiled and said that he had asked the examiner to be tough on me because if I am not thorough and if any accident occurs and I am injured he will end up in Siberia because he did not take good care of a Foreign student! Finally I passed the exam and then i was allowed to operate the high voltage EBW. I am writing this because the training we got in Russia was thorough in all respects.We had the disadvantage of learning every thing in Russian. But at the end I was happy that I came to Russia for my higher studies because I learned a new language and worked under an eminent professor.