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Lone working on Faults

  • Lone working on Faults

    Posted by Brian Ballantyne on 22 July 2024 at 8:51 am

    Hi all- interested to find out different EDB approaches to managing lone working and Network Faults. Questions:

    1: Do you still allow lone working for faults?

    2: If so do you have any limitations on the type and nature of work?

    3: If not how have you managed faults- 2 up crews / using trade assistants?

    4: Any significant issues you have faced in bringing about changes in this space?

    Many thanks all and really look forward to getting your insights and learnings

    Brian- brian.ballantyne@alpineenergy.co.nz

    Stephen Small replied 6 months, 3 weeks ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
  • 2 Replies
  • Stephen Small

    Member
    22 July 2024 at 9:58 am

    Hi Brian

    1. yes, but with limitation below

    2. After-hours callouts during the
    hours of darkness to either the Ashburton, Rakaia, or Rangitata Gorge
    areas are assessed for risk before deciding on the response: If an
    immediate or imminent public safety risk is understood to be present (e.g.
    live lines on or near ground), a two-person team will be dispatched. If no
    immediate or imminent public safety risk is understood to be present, the
    Faultman will be dispatched at sunrise the next day. Most customers in
    these areas are very resilient (back-up generators).

    3. Non-qualified faultmen (i.e. have not completed NZQA Level 4 Fault Response and Switching) travel in the same vehicle so learning conversations can take place – they don’t learn anything just driving behind in another vehicle.

    4. Issues following on from #3 above have been either trainees wanting to drive themselves in convoy, or the temptation for “I’ll see you at ………” “you go to ……….”. etc.

    And in opposition to what I said above during adverse weather events, we would patrol in vehicle pairs if the road is flooded, river crossing, or deep snow – you need another vehicle to pull you out if you get stuck.


    Cheers

    Stephen

  • Brian Ballantyne

    Member
    25 July 2024 at 8:32 am

    Thanks Stephen- excellent stuff here. And love the two up approach to driving safer conversations and learning!

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