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Safety highlight – Risks from portable generators
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Safety highlight – Risks from portable generators
If portable generators are used incorrectly, they can cause serious harm, including death.
People are turning to the use of portable generators for their electrical supply in areas without power following Cyclone Gabrielle. Last week a family of five in Eskdale narrowly cheated death after carbon monoxide created by an unventilated petrol-powered generator spread throughout their home after running it for 90 minutes before they went to bed.
Portable generators can also be dangerous to staff working on the electricity network. If connected incorrectly they could backfeed power into the electricity network and liven conductors that workers are working on.
Orion New Zealand Ltd has some great information on their website about the safe use of generators, including correct connections.
WorkSafe New Zealand has guidance around the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
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