In 2017 Downer made staff that were assigned to a ute fitted with a winch sign a declaration stating that they would not use it for pulling conductors, lifting any object with a pulley system or using it to climb above or below ground. To answer your question regarding potentially unwanted acts and missed from the declaration was the act…

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Hi Craig

We don’t splint damaged poles.

Any poles hit by vehicles are inspected and measured by a pole inspector using a VONAQ. If they are considered at risk of failure the following occurs:

1. Any that are determined to be an imminent and immediate risk of failure will be held by a Hiab or our pole grab ute until replaced that day.

2. Any that…

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Hi all,

We are currently exploring various options for managing poles following a vehicle vs pole incident, including pole splinting where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Is anyone currently undertaking this type of work? If so, are there any existing procedures, training materials or guidelines you would be willing to share?

Any information…

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At a previous network our arborists were using ute-mounted winches to pull over trees (i.e machine-assisted felling). Due to disparity in weights we had two incidents where the falling tree pulled the ute rather than the other way around, so the practice was banned.

Hi Guys

Apart from vehicle recovery what other tasks do your staff use their vehicle mounted winches for?

I assume there will be conductor pulling etc, but what else is there.

We have identified some unwanted things and before we make a kneejerk reaction and create some blanket rule I thought I would see whats happening out there.

Thanks in advance

Government reverses ‘lethal’ electrical rule change after inspectors’ warnings | RNZ

Hi Christopher

This free online training may also be of interest – https://www.nzism.org/hsr-repcentral/learning

Thanks and regards

Mike

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for your feedback; much appreciated.

Regards

Stephen

Hi Stephen

We have just been through this exercise, and pivoted to a more critical risk focused template. We removed the ‘high/med/low residual risk’ boxes and replaced them with a simple ‘method of control/safe to continue’ box. if not ‘safe to continue’ then extra control measures need to be utilised and recorded.

To make these meaningful…

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Hi Chris

We developed formal PDs for H&S Reps, Chair, and Secretary so they knew their roles and responsibilities when they express interest. Happy to share.

We have good turn-out at meetings with robust sub-committee working groups, but still struggle to get them to attend specific training entitlements as detailed in the Worker…

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Hi Graeme,

Thank you for the SSPG response.

Supplementary question seeking clarification of SM-EI:

When a worker is transferring or changing position around a pole or pole structure, at the stages when only one pole strap is attached, must that pole strap be under tension to comply with SM-EI?

Regards

Stephen

Stephen

Thank you for your query.

Your background summary is correct. The SM-EI and associated guides were updated to align with the requirements of AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 relating to additional controls when a work positioning system is supporting a worker’s weight.

The SSPG considered the issue you have raised during development of…

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At Counties Energy we are trying to build the role of the Health and Safety Committee. We have a terms of reference document but need to develop a more detailed PD for the role. Currently just getting people to turn up and participate has been a bit of a mission, so any good engagement tools and incentives that you use would be helpful.

The revised Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI) is now open for industry consultation.

One of the most visible changes is the move back to an A5 booklet format, reflecting strong industry feedback that SM-EI needs to be practical to use in the field as well as accessible online.

The content has also been reshaped to make the document…

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Background

In 2015, the EEA adopted an objective to implement an ‘attachment at all times’ practice for employees working at height, except while climbing a ladder. The practice was to be introduced progressively and become standard electricity industry practice by March 2016. In the distribution sector, this requirement is commonly met by…

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Good morning everyone,

We have recently been provided with some information regarding an older low-voltage overhead conductor known as Red Lead Wire (RLW), also described as a red cambric-covered aerial conductor. Testing undertaken on samples from other networks found the covering to be an organic fiber (not asbestos), however lead…

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Hi everyone,

MainPower is currently reviewing its Worksite Safety Plan (attached) as part of a shift from traditional hazard identification to a more dynamic risk assessment approach.

To help inform this review, we are seeking insights into how other EDBs and EDB contractors are approaching the development and use of Worksite Safety…

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Hi everyone,

Following the recent EDI H&S Forum, MainPower is seeking information on the approach being taken by other EDBs and EDB contractors to meet the SM-EI requirements relating to Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS).

Specifically, we are interested in how organisations are addressing the PFAS requirement for additional controls…

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Hi everyone,

Following the recent EDI H&S Forum, MainPower is seeking information on the requirements that other EDBs and EDB contractors have in place for chocking heavy vehicles and light trailers.

MainPower has previously drafted the attached procedure for chocking heavy vehicles and would be interested in understanding how…

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SM-EI Q&A Webinar – New Date

The SM-EI Q&A Webinar: Your Questions Answered, originally scheduled for this Thursday, has been postponed.

The webinar will now be held on Thursday 17th September 10.00 am–11.00 am.

If you have already registered, your registration will remain in place and updated webinar details will be sent through Teams.

We…

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Hi Tony

How did you get on with this?

I am interested if anyone will share their medical assessment form.

I have attached ours but our Provider doesn’t thinks its fit for purpose, (I don’t disagree).

The EEA’ Safety Standards and Procedures Group (SSPG) is beginning reviews of three key industry safety guides and is inviting industry to have input before the review work starts.

Rather than presenting proposed changes, these webinars are an opportunity to look at the guides as they stand today and hear directly from the people who use…

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The revised Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI) is now open for industry consultation.

One of the most visible changes is the move back to an A5 booklet format, reflecting strong industry feedback that SM-EI needs to be practical to use in the field as well as accessible online.

The content has also been reshaped to make the document…

Read more

Thanks Dan

Great information, and brand options we hadn’t considered yet!

Cheers

Stephen.

Hi Stephen,

We supply our Field teams specifically our OH teams with these types of boots, they are at a cost premium so have set an expectation that staff must get 2 years out of them. We have gone through Meindl, Andrews, Arbtech, cloggers and now Haix boots.

Meindl – Great boot and the team’s preferred choice, we have been informed by…

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Thanks James

appreciate the reply

Hi Stephen

This sounds great. As someone who came up through the tools and still wears these zip-up style boots daily, I think it would be beneficial to have more supportive footwear available as an option, at the very least.

Unfortunately, our company moved away from this style of boot several years ago on the basis that none of the…

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Hi All

We have recent a trend of ankle/knee injuries where footwear was a contributing factor.

We are attempting to mitigate this by limiting the range of safety footwear available to our field workers (high leg, no side zips, and better ankle support) and have settled on Meindl and Rockfall brands.

Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be very…

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G’day all, some news.

With the agreement of my boss and CE here at Electra, I’ve recently made the decision to step sideways from the HSW manager role I’ve had for over seven years, and into an HSW advisory role here.

This means the role of HSW Manager is now open, with Edenfx running the recruitment campaign. If you know of anyone who might…

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Hi Sonya

I would suggest that you read NZS7901:2014 Section 4: Risk Management, which is what is audited against.

Although the requirement is technically only for those risks that could cause serious harm or significant property damage (see Section 4.4.3), we need to be able to prove by a systematic process why other public safety risks don’t…

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Hi all,

I’m currently refreshing our Public Safety Risk Profile and have reduced our historical list of 40+ risks down to around 10–12 key risks. The aim is to create a more streamlined and meaningful profile that focuses on material public safety outcomes and the controls that matter most.

Keen to hear how other EDBs have approached this,…

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Kia ora Shaun, I hope the new job is going well!

We are currently reviewing and updating the EEA Critical Risk Guide, work hasn’t quite started but we have a working group and an idea on what the plan is, which is

• Identify any changes to industry critical risks – through last year’s survey, working group input, and the HSW Act.…

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Hi Team,

Apologies if the question has already been asked but I couldn’t find anything in the forums to-date.

What are others using for evaluating, developing, implementing, and monitoring their critical risk frameworks and controls?

Is anyone able to share their current framework or critical risk lists, how you got to that point etc?
Any…

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There is still time to enter the 2026 EEA Workplace Safety and Public Safety Awards.

The awards recognise initiatives, programmes and practical improvements that have made a positive difference to workplace safety or public safety across the electricity supply industry.

Entries close Friday 31 July 2026.

Share the work your team has been doing…

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St John Ambulance Australia has released a compact automated external defibrillator (AED) weighing less than 700 grams.

The device is designed to fit in a backpack, vehicle, first aid kit or handbag and includes voice prompts, visual guidance and a child mode that does not require separate pads. It is also rated for dust and water resistance…

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Hi Stephen,

I don’t suppose we could also have a look at your risk management standard?

Not looking to reinvent the wheel so any help is appreciated 🙂

shaun@4nes.co.nz

I have been contacted by Natasya at Divergent Thinking (presented at last year’s Trainer’s Forum) she would like to offer us an online session this Monday, see more below:

This Monday we’re running the first pilot of “Getting” Recruitment – Attracting the Right Brains: our approach to hiring that designs psychosocial risk out of a role before…

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Thanks Dan, appreciate it.

We had this happen a few years ago. As per Bryce’s process we had an inspector go through properties that were affected and ensure they were safe to liven.