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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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,…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more