[serf]

Everyone in the comments keeps saying "if you don't know what you're doing, go find someone that does, skip the work, dont touch it", etc etc.

i'm here to say that that kind of behavior doesn't foster self improvement and learning.

here's what I suggest : learn about the job, learn about the hazards, take the precautions, get the equipment, don't let your guard down, and then do the work by-the-book.

you'll learn something in the process, both about the thing itself and the concept of maintaining a 'safety culture' around work that requires it. You won't get hurt, because you're going to follow the right safety precautions and work procedures.

Now, if you want to throw your hands up and just say "i'm not willing to put the hours in to ... " , then by all means, don't take the risk -- have it done. If you're in this for the pursuit of knowledge/skill/craft/gratifications then just pursue it as you would anything that is potentially dangerous and take the right steps.

You wouldn't tell someone to stay off a motorcycle, it's an enjoyable past-time -- you would remind them to follow safe driving procedure and to wear protective equipment.

[bombcar]

The hazards have to be knowable (they all are) and you have to take the precautions.

The trick is, that professionals often need to know how to do something just barely safely so that they can do it fast and efficiently.

But a hobbyist doesn't need to do it fast, so you can do it very safely.

In this example, learn how to ground out the equipment, do so, and then leave it for weeks, etc.

[ddingus]

Yes! And that is precisely the advice I got many years ago.

Take your time, get educated, when possible talk to people and get the task done.

Over time a lot of best safety practices overlap and blend together and one learns how to be safe without so much angst and unknown prep.

Doing things yourself adds right up too. After a few years you will end up quite skilled and the payoffs start to have real impact!

[larusso]

I‘m generally with you here. I also like to learn and do stuff on my own. But there is a catch to some things when self thought. One can read and watch videos for hours and still miss a crucial detail that only a master in the field could teach you. I have high respect when it comes to high voltage, high/low temperatures or any machine work with fast spinning items. One should build up knowledge and confidence in a slow pace when no instructor is present.

[mjan22640]

The hazard here is that the very high voltage will kill you.

[Shawnj2]

For repairing your laptop sure, but there are huge risks with very low margins for error for safety in terms of dealing with high voltage electricity. If you want to do this safely you need to take the relevant electrical classes/certifications to know how, it’s not something a beginner can jump into without assistance. Sure if you fuck up a laptop repair it’s not a huge deal but this will fucking kill you if you’re not careful. Sure you can learn how to ride a motor cycle but you still need a license to do so and pass classes first, and most people deem the risks, efforts, and costs too high to be worth it.

[userbinator]

Here's some good discussion of the risks: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/how-dangerous-or-lethal-i...