Hi everyone, I have a question for those representing EDBs here. How does your organisation manage access requests from third-party organisations wishing to enter your zone substations? By third parties, I mean PCBUs who are not directly engaged by your company, examples might include fibre contractors, CT metering providers, or situations where…

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Great feedback, thank you all.
@james-primedowner-co-nz – good idea, I’ll chat with Hayley to see if she had room on the agenda.

G

We currently use PLB only and have Radio or Cell PH for emergency comms. Currently in talks with Guardian Angel Safety regarding Blackline device and/or Garmin Mini3. This would be a great topic for discussion at the EEA Health and Safety Workshop in August? Guardian Angel Safety or Direct Safety NZ both of whom provide these lone worker…

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We have RT Handhelds with built in ‘Man Down’ and ‘Lone Worker’ functions that can be activated remotely.

These link back to our vehicle RT’s and to our DMR network (about 95% coverage) with GPS location.

Hi Graeme. Also keen to see what people are using as we want to trial something soon.

I referred back to the survey that Stephen Albrecht did in 2024 and have based my search on what seemed popular, plus using Google.

Blackline G7/8 seemed quite popular, with Mercari and Tait others listed. One EDB down south was trialing Gethomesafe which is…

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Hi Graeme,

We use Blackline Safety devices. Both mobile and satelite coverage. We did a review last year to look at the options and suppliers on the market. The review included tait radios, garmin inreach, blackline, a number of phone apps and apple watches. We engaged apple directly and talked to Endeavour Energy in Australia who…

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Hi Graeme,

We have a number of integrated options for staff:

– Vehicles, they have tracking systems which alert us if an issue occurs, there is also an emergency alert switch we use. all of our vehicles from UTV’s to crane trucks have this capability.

-Phones, most staff that are provided with phones in the field are using phones that are…

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CEL are very much the same as you Graeme. All vehicles have e-road, all workers issued with PLB. There are lone worker protocols requiring lone workers to call into NOC and Customer care to monitor lone workers too.

Hey G,

We are using Blackline devices at this stage for individuals and teams have the Garmin Inreach.

Hey all

Keen to hear what systems youre using to monitor your lone workers.
Our current system has ceased working now the 3G network is closed down.
We have vehicle tracking, PLBs as an option – but do you have a self activated system should someone take a fall etc – maybe use of wearable (smarthwatch) technology?

Cheers G

No problem, appreciate the reply.

Cheers

Not yet, still a work in progress updating the LMCJ

Hi Graeme,

Has this handbook become available in digital form now?

Cheers

Hey Chris

We have oil filled switch gear , I have sent you some information re our operating restrictions.

G

All,

Do you have any of this switch gear and what if any operational restrictions do you place on its operation.

Or do you have other oil filled electrical distribution HV switchgear and what operational restrictions, if any, have you placed on its operation.

Thanks for any help on this

Hi there

Just wondering if anyone has a process for breaking down old wooden cable drums that they would like to share with us.

Hi Graeme

We also utilize the “Cow Tag” style marker.

Any pole with tag should not be climbed (regardless of tag colour) as it is unreasonable for a field worker to determine the calculated loadings of the structure (Orange/Yellow Tag) or what additional stresses they are adding to poles that require an engineered re-assessment (Blue Tag.)

During…

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Morning Mr G.

We use red tags.

Good morning Graeme

Thank you for your response. The video is helpful and describes the scenario clearly, this will definitely aid in our team discussions.

Thank you again

Hi Graeme

Ours is here:

Stephen

Hey all

The SSPG is reviewing the above mentioned guide and I need your feedback please.

With regards to marking of defective poles what are people using ? The guide currently states:

Orange, yellow or Red disc or marking – what are you currently using, Im pretty sure we’ve moved away from disc’s

We use Red, Yellow and Blue cow tags. – what does…

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WorkSafe have contacted the EEA for feedback and commentary regarding the updated guidance (attached) on the Connection of a generator to the wiring of a house or building following an emergency.

WorkSafe have asked that EEA collects and collates responses from the ESI and feeds them back as a single response. Can you please review the attached…

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Link to video =

Bang on there Mr Small, great memory.

This is the intepretation given back in 2002, still stands today. I also have a video of applicaiton of earthing that i made a few years ago that I’ll post up as link here.

Interpretation on Rule 703 and Minimum Approach Distances

Background

An interpretation was requested on the Minimum Approach…

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Good morning James

Thank you for your response.

Hi Lance

We had this problem a number of years ago on what we term “22kv Bullhorn Carriers” with the first solution being to temp install hangers made from bent earthing rod and then hang the earth underneath but as this in not a clamped connection it is not suitable to carry any fault current. Now we use “Cut Out Earth Clamps” from…

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Thank you, Stephen, I will search for it.

Good afternoon Bill

Thank you for your response

Good afternoon Warren

Thank you for your response.

We are the same as WEL (Bill’s answer).

Note that there have been two previous EEA SSPG determinations on MAD distances for DO fuses, I don’t know if they are still searchable using the publications tab?

Stephen.

We fit new EDO’s with earthing spigots so they’re below the stated distance. We don’t allow snap on earths to be used in these situations as when pushing the clamp off, there’s a risk of contacting the live side of the EDO

Hi. We purchase our DDOs with a drop down earthing connector attached outside the MAD. Elsewise on legacy DDOs where there are bare jumpers we will earth on the jumpers.

The airgap <300 mm is no issue as long as no action (eg earth clamps) need to enter that zone.

Do any of the EDBs have internal rules relating to applying portable earths the
bottom or de-energised terminal of a 22kV Expulsion Drop Out Fuse holder while
the top is energised at 22kV.

I note that it is not permitted if
the application process or the presence of the earth leads would violate
the Minimum Approach Distance (MAD).

The
255mm…

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Sorry Michael, got distracted…….

Yes, we have trained facilitators to keep the Learning Team on track (normally, not a technical subject matter expert so they don’t get into the weeds).

An early heads up, this year’s Health and Safety Workshop will be held in Otautahi Christchurch on the 11-12 August.

Planning is in progress, and I will share more with you as I can but I’m keen to hear from you!

Is there anything you are working on that would be great to share with the industry, or any guest speakers or topics you would like to…

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WorkSafe have contacted the EEA for feedback and commentary regarding the updated guidance (attached) on the Connection of a generator to the wiring of a house or building following an emergency.

WorkSafe have asked that EEA collects and collates responses from the ESI and feeds them back as a single response. Can you please review the…

Read more

canx that, I found it – you have mail

Cheers G

Dan, whats youre email addy?

I will send you something

Hi Team,

We are currently using Ampact connectors on the network for overhead conductor connections. While the product performs its intended function effectively, the installation process presents some concerns.

The installation tool requires a small cartridge to be inserted and fired to drive the wedging mechanism and achieve a secure…

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WorkSafe is urging businesses and organisations operating in weather affected areas to ensure robust procedures are in place to protect workers, as red rain warnings remain in effect across parts of the North Island.

All non-essential outdoor work should be postponed.

Red rain warnings are in place in Northland, Coromandel, the Bay of…

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Thanks Stephen, sounds pragmatic. I’m getting a better picture of the industry now.

Do you still have a designated facilitator (or “process nazi”) for each of your learning teams?