It would help if you were standing on dry sand.....
The res c is an insulator, but it's not voltage rated.
I would say don't touch the lanyard hole while working live wires.
But generally an electrical run has a ground and a neutral besides the hot wires, if you chop through that, you'll create a short causing the electricity to gouge your blade....


Wanna see my kydex!
http://photobucket.com/azwelke