Hi Craig

We are doing the same as your approach.

Our arborists are contractors, so we send a line mechanic or similar to isolate, earth, test, and hold the access permit as the contractor’s staff are not deemed competent to do so (nor is insulated tool work from a bucket a similar risk to our electrical assets as climbing and cutting).

Morning all,

We are seeking guidance to ensure our practices align with industry best practice.

Where conditions allow, vegetation is removed by our Utility Arborists using insulated MEWPs and approved insulated tools in accordance with established procedures. However, in situations where this is not possible and arborists are required to…

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We don’t, and I am not a fan of only using evidence from desktop reviews!

1.Most of our contractors are not big enough to benefit (cost of annual application vs profit from our business).

2. We have to pre-qual via Totika ourselves, and the experience has been very underwhelming:

There is very little feed-back on how you can improve your score.…

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The EEA currently has three new guides out for industry consultation

• Battery Energy Storage Systems Operational Safety Guide
• Best Practices for the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Around Critical Infrastructure Guide
• Safe use of Drones in and around Electricity Assets Guide

Head to our Consultation and Submissions webpage to read the guides and…

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Thanks Bryce, I note this is for service connecitons.
Do you have anything for Network polarity, as in pre livening tests on network to network connections.
For example, crew replace ground mount TX, with 5 circuits attached, how do you electrically ensure:
1) each circuit neutral is connected pre livening

2) each neutral is actually connected to…

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I have attached the Downer Polarity document fyi. I would note that it treats phasing as a separate test procedure which needs emphasis.

Keen to hear what tests companies are undertaking pre livening of network work to determine polarity of the network.
In the examples shown below, assuming the work is conducted in a deenergised state, what pre network livening test do you undertake for a GM TX replacement or Overhead line work with mainline takeoff.
Also what post livening…

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Hi Brent,

Aurora Energy requires our contractors to hold Totika.

We were notified by our supplier and planning to have a discussion with them. Will be interested in this.

Thanks

From early discussions this was a Totika wide thing not just by one provider, I will clarify.

Hi Brent, Vector currently requires our Contractors to hold Totika and a score above 75%. We also received this request from the one Supplier but we declined this. We believe that it goes against the intent of Totika as only one service provider will ask this specific section.

Hi

Just wondering how many of you use Totika as your prequalification?

I have been contacted by one of the providers and they are looking at adding ESI specific requirements into the framework such as critical risk focus areas, network access
requirements, competency expectations, or specific operational controls etc.

Would / is there any interest in this?

Have sent you an email James

Hi Team, does anyone have an engineering solution for connecting the auger to the crane that removes the person from directly interacting with the crane while it is moving or being manipulated to allow alignment of the holes for connection pin? Attached photos show the most common auger attachment in our business. I have contacted NZ…

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The EEA is seeking expressions of interest from industry professionals to join the Safety Standards and Procedures Group (SSPG).

The SSPG plays a key role in developing and maintaining industry guidance, including the Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI), and supporting improvements in safety practice across New Zealand’s electricity…

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Register today – don’t miss out!

Join ESI trainers from across New Zealand for two days of practical learning, shared experiences, and connection.

Focused on mentoring, communication, and learner-centered training, this forum will help strengthen safety, competence, and workforce capability across the sector. Expect practical workshops,…

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Thanks Stephen.

CCA is relatively inert once dried, so pose little risk on installed poles and crossarms (including sawdust and chips) so follow EEA Guide as per Bill’s answer – however the biggest risk is that when burned the CCA additives concentrate in the ash and burnt residue. All of our burnt poles are disposed of at approved hazardous waste…

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Thanks Bill — those controls are consistent with what we currently have in place.

I’m also interested in how others are thinking about the level of chronic health risk overall, and whether health monitoring programmes (where used) include arsenic testing as a way of verifying that controls are effective over time.

Keen to hear different…

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There’s a little section in the EEA Guide to work on poles and structures – Section 15.

Hello

I’m keen to learn how others in our industry approach the potential health risks associated with handling CCA‑treated timber.

We’re looking to update our environmental contaminants procedure and are interested in understanding industry practice around longer‑term exposure pathways during handling and intrusive work. If you’re willing to…

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Hi Chris,

We have a yellow ‘issuer applied’ pole wrap and an orange ‘do not operate’ wrap. Both now made locally as the original wraps were not long enough for some structures.

Happy to provide further details if required.

Regards Shaun

Hi Mike

That would be good thanks

chris@powertechnelson.co.nz

We have two types – one for standard isolations and one for isolations involving an assurance (i.e. involving third party grid, network or generation asset isolations). They’re about the size of an A4 sheet of paper and have a webbing type strap that goes around the pole. I can send you some more information if you like.

Hi Chris

try these from Transnet: Hi-Viz Pole Sash

Regards

Stephen

https://www.transnet.co.nz/Products/safety/signage Check out the link, there are others that provide these also

Hi

Can anyone point me in the direction of where we can purchase these from and what types are being used?

Thanks

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.