Electricity safety
Electricity is distributed at high voltages and all lines should be treated as live at all times. Care also needs to be taken around power poles, transformers, and switchgear.
Electricity is distributed at high voltages and all lines should be treated as live at all times. Care also needs to be taken around power poles, transformers, and switchgear.
Without an awareness of overhead lines or underground cables, there’s a real risk of electrocution, explosion, flashover or fire.
Here’s how to safely work near overhead lines, transport high loads and locate electricity cables before digging.
If you’re trimming or removing trees, cleaning or replacing spoutings, painting, repairing roofs or chimneys, or making alterations, be careful when you’re working near overhead power lines or underground cables where they enter your house. These lines are not safe to touch.
The risks when using, or being in contact with electricity are, electric shocks, burns, fire, serious injury and death.
Make sure you look up and look out, watch those overheads, and watch where you dig.
If you’re going to be working closer than four metres to lines, poles or power boxes, you’ll need a Close Approach Consent, for which we’ll need three working weeks to process your application.
This is a legal requirement set down by New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice – Electrical Safe Distances.
Getting too close to overhead lines is dangerous, especially when moving over height items such as a house, boat or heavy equipment.
You’ll need a permit and should apply 10 working days before the moving date. We can give you more information about the different requirements for different-sized loads.
To avoid damage and risk of electrocution, it’s important to know where power or fibre cables are before you dig.
If they’re hit or damaged, it can knock out vital power and communication supplies.
We can help with free help and advice on safe working practices and locating cables.
If building or extending your house, you may need to put the power underground if it’s too close to overhead lines.
The minimum distance between the building and the lines depends on the voltage and can be found on the WorkSafe website.
Electricity is clean, efficient and instantly available to use, but it can’t be seen or heard and has no smell. You can’t see the danger.
Switch power off at the mains if you smell smoke or if your power is surging (e.g. your lights or appliances are turning on and off).
Turn off all electronic appliances when:
Treat all power lines and cables as if they’re live, even if you’ve turned off the mains switch.
Electricity faults can happen at any time, with no warning. It’s a good idea to keep the following items handy and know how to find them in the dark:
Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to stop food from spoiling.