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…

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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.

Thank you Bryce that is helpful.

Downer teams hire an independent Electrical Inspector to certify each site before re-livening. This may include disconnecting failed subcircuits, bypassing meters (incl liaising with retailers for repair/replacement), and/or liaising with householder to facilitate repair of remedial damage within the property. Cost of the Inspector is taken…

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Grateful for any information about how other EDBs handle re livening of properties following HV LV clash

Hi Willem,

Great find with the International Journal, very interesting reading and to surmise its content i would say that it recommends consultation with the workers surgeon so that they are aware of or visit the workers work environment to give a recommendation regarding suitability of continued EMF exposure?

Possible takeaways from this=

-…

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Hi James,

Quite a difficult one, the closest which I can find is as per the COP-for-high-voltage-live-line-work where it states “A medical examination shall be carried out by a qualified occupational health

practitioner to check that the lineworker can physically meet the requirements

to carry out the intended work and has no medical condition…

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Hi Team, We have recently had a question regarding this from a worker who now has a metal implant and works live line in the transmission space asking if it is still ok. As we know it must be as others are already doing it but upon looking we cannot find any guidance around this.

I have looked in the NZECP for High Voltage Live Line Work Part1…

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Thank you for your feedback, Stephen. Very much appreciated.

Regards

Stephen

Hi Stephen

We have specific flowcharts for both electric shock and head injury – due to possible delayed symptoms and complications.

See attached (It’s the ex-paramedic in me coming out).

Stephen.

Recently, a MainPower employee received a minor electric shock when investigating cut/stolen earthing conductors on a 11 kV recloser circuit breaker pole. The pole site was then isolated, and the employee repaired the cut/stolen earthing conductors. The employee continued working for the rest of the workday. There was no follow-up…

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Rob

Good question, you will find a huge gap in reported events (EEA Safety alerts) vrs the anecdotal evidence that I hear around the traps as a member and chair of the EEA SSPG.

Common themes from anecdotal evidence and the EEA issued safety alerts:

1. Switching instruction integrity

Missing steps (earthing, isolation)
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I’m looking to better understand the scale and nature of switching-related incidents in New Zealand, particularly in terms of frequency, severity, and common contributing factors.

I’ve done some initial research but haven’t come across anything comprehensive, so I’m keen to tap into any existing work or insights across the…

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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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