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Switching Incidents and Guidance

  • Switching Incidents and Guidance

    Posted by Rob Kirkwood on 16 June 2026 at 11:14 am

    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 industry.

    Specifically, I’m interested in:

    Any studies or reviews of switching incidents (NZ or internationally)

  • Common themes or contributing conditions identified
  • Examples of corrective actions or system improvements that have been effective
  • Any databases or sources of aggregated switching incident data
  • The intent is to build a broader understanding of patterns and learning opportunities rather than focus on individual events.

    If you’re aware of any work in this space or can point me in the right direction, I’d really appreciate it.

    Thanks in advance.

    Cheers Rob Kirkwood

    • This discussion was modified 1 week, 4 days ago by  Rob Kirkwood.
Graeme Johnson replied 1 week, 4 days ago 2 Members · 1 Reply
  • 1 Reply
    • Graeme Johnson

      Member
      16 June 2026 at 12:10 pm

      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)
      Inadequate checking despite multiple reviewers
      Poor release request quality feeding bad instructions

      2. Control discipline breakdown

      Deviating from instructions without reissue
      Continuing switching when uncertainty exists
      Failure to stop when conditions change

      3. Earthing errors (critical risk)

      Earth left applied during livening
      Incorrect earth placement
      Failure to verify earth status before restoration

      4. Isolation assurance failures

      Incorrect isolation points on permits
      Assumptions based on testing instead of isolation
      Delays in isolating supply (fault scenarios)

      5. System information / configuration risk

      SCADA vs field mismatch
      Labelling errors
      Incomplete commissioning updates

      6. Human factors

      Distraction (permit error)
      Handover gaps (NOC)
      Over-reliance on process rather than verification

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