News and Events

Public Safety Award

The EEA public safety award recognises excellence of an organisation or individual in fostering public awareness and education about electricity safety and safety around electricity supply assets.

The award is jointly sponsored by the WorkSafe’s Energy Safety and the EEA.  Awards are presented at the annual EEA Conference and Technology Exhibition. Winners receive a trophy and a cash prize of $500.

The award recognises initiatives to:

  1. Deliver excellence in electrical safety of the public.
  2. Raise awareness of electrical safety issues in the local community.
  3. Reduce accidents to the public which involve electricity supply industry assets.
  4. Improve public understanding or awareness of electrical safety issues around electricity supply industry assets.
  5. Encourage industry and the public to think about and participate in electrical safety initiatives.
  6. Publicise ideas, procedures and programmes which deliver a high standard of public awareness of electrical safety including:
    • The development of new or improved types of public safety promotion or information
    • The introduction of new or improved safety education methods, practices or procedures
    • New ways of encouraging a positive approach to electrical safety
    • Any other new aspect or suggestion which conforms to the objectives set out above

2024 Winner – Powerco: Car verses Pole

Powerco’s ‘Car verses Pole’ initiative won the Public Safety Award for its use of extensive data modelling and stakeholder engagement to first identify high risk power poles and then implement change to prevent serious harm incidents and fatalities.

In 2023 Powerco embarked on a 10-year programme to eliminate or mitigate the risk of vehicles versus poles at all 845 identified locations, now part of Powerco’s Asset Management Plan.

Read more about Powerco’s project here

Ken Pattie of Powerco accepts the Public Safety Award at EEA2024

Judging Criteria

Judging is in accordance with the following criteria:

  1. The effectiveness of identification of the problem the safety issue(s), the target audience and the medium selected.
  2. The extent of commitment in development and implementation.
  3. The effectiveness of the impact or outcome of the achievement in the public domain.
  4. The extent of integration of the achievement with other management systems in the organisation.
  5. The suitability of the achievement or contribution for wider application to industry.
  6. Compliance with all relevant statutory requirements.
  7. Evidence of achievement. Where possible, external verification of the achievement should be provided.

The judging panel will comprise the EEA President (or nominee), the Secretary of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (or nominee) and an Employee Representative.

How to enter

You will need to provide information to showcase your entry. This requires a little work but it is important we have this information to help our judging panel select the winner and to showcase the runner ups. The judging panel may contact you directly for more information.The submission should provide a descriptive summary and give us the details and supporting information/data around the issue(s), key attribute(s), action(s) and factors you believe have contributed toward your successful safety outcome and demonstrating how the entry meets the judging criteria.

It should also include:

  • Diagrams and explanatory text and any published reviews or critiques undertaken by independent parties.
  • Supporting visual/multimedia material which could include up to 1-6 high quality colour images in jpg format, or clearly labelled photographs; and/or up to 25 seconds of mpg video file or automated PowerPoint presentation.
  • Sign-off by a member of the organizations senior management team, or referee where appropriate.

Please ensure to have your attachments ready or email your entry to admin@eea.co.nz.

Online Entry Form

Terms and Conditions

The entrant accepts and agrees to the following terms and conditions:

  1. The entrant must obtain the permission of all relevant parties to proceed with the entry.
  2. All entries and supporting material must be submitted to the EEA by the deadline provided.
  3. The entrant gives permission to the EEA to use any of the material provided for publicity and promotional purposes.
  4. The winner will be invited to attend and present at EEA Health and Safety Workshop.
  5. The assessment results of the award will not create any legal obligations between the entrant and the EEA.
  6. The entrant accepts that the judges’ decision is final and that no correspondence will be entered into.
  7. The judges undertake to observe the confidentiality of entries and to declare or avoid any possible conflict of interest.
  8. The judges reserve the right not to make an award where, in the judges’ opinion, no entry of adequate standard has been received.
  9. The EEA reserves the right to publish any aspect of the award, including its presentation.
  10. Unless specifically arranged, submissions and supporting material will not be returned to the entrant.

Previous Winners

2023 Unison Networks ‘Unison’s risk framework to improve safety for the public and third parties’
2021 Counties Energy ‘Smart Meter Technology’
2019 Unison ‘Be Aware Electricity Kills Programme’
2017 Marlborough Lines ‘Wine Industry Safety Posters’
2015 Powerco ‘Public Safety Campaign’
2014 Vector Refreshes its Safety in School Programme
2013 MainPower NZ Ltd ‘Re-designed SWER Line Insulator Extension Bracket’
2012 Vector ‘Promoting Safety Through Schools’
2011 Orion NZ ‘Public Safety Management following a Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake & Subsequent Aftershocks’
2010 TOP Energy ‘Close Approach Consents Process’ Safety Campaign
2009 Orion NZ Physical Security Plan
2008 WEL Networks ‘Look Out!’ campaign
2007 Vector ‘Vector’s Public Safety Programme’ education programme
2005 Vector ‘Stay Safe Around Electricity Education Programme’

Merit Award – Unison ‘Be Safe With Electricity’