Working within 4 metres of any electricity equipment? Contact us to arrange a Safety Disconnect or a Close Approach Consent. Digging underground? Plan ahead and visit beforeudig.co.nz. Need advice? Call us on 0800 66 78 47.
It's important to stay alert and always be aware of overhead lines when working near them. Look up and look out for overhead power lines whenever you are handling tall objects like ladders, aerials, or scaffolding.
If you or something you are holding touches and overhead line, there's a real risk of electrocution, explosion, flashover, or fire.
Do not go within 4 metres of power lines without a Close Approach Consent.
Learn more hereIt's important to know where power or fibre cables are before you dig. This includes ramming of fences or signposts. Plan ahead and visit beforeudig.co.nz.
You cannot dig or excavate within 5 metres of our power poles without a Close Approach Consent.
Northpower offers a free service to locate underground cables and ducts. Contact us before you begin digging or excavating.
Learn more hereWe’re running a safety series covering the key things you need to know when it comes to staying safe around our network.
• Safe Guy Wires
• Power Lines Down
• Vegetation
• Consumer-owned lines
• Working safely around electricity equipment
• Have an insulator on them
• Are well anchored, intact, and not compromised by severe rust.
• Are nice and tight (not slack at all)
• Call us on 0800 10 40 40 or call 111.
• Treat all lines as live until advised by Northpower.
• Keep people and animals well clear - at least 10m away.
• Never go near or touch a fallen line - it could still be live.
• Do not try to move tree limbs or objects on or near fallen lines.
• Do not assume that fallen or low lines are telephone lines.
• Call 111 and stay in the vehicle until Northpower arrives or advise that the line is not live.
• If you must get out of the vehicle for your safety, jump with both feet together as far away as possible. Continue to jump or shuffle, keeping your feet together, until you are at least 10m away from the vehicle.
• Do not touch the vehicle.
• The line may be live and the vehicle may become electrically live too. Any person attempting to touch or leave the vehicle could be electrocuted.
• Do not drive over or through fallen lines.
• Vegetation that comes into contact with power lines can cause power surges, power outages and fire.
• If a tree is in contact with power lines, stay clear and call Northpower on 0800 10 40 40.
• In high winds and storms, falling trees and branches can break lines and cause power cuts.
• Trees or vegetation too close to lines increases the fire risk, especially in hot, dry and windy weather.
If you own the land that a tree is growing on, it is generally your responsibility to ensure that vegetation is kept away from power lines.
Only approved contractors should go within 4m of power lines.
If you see a tree too close to power lines, call us on 0800 10 40 40 so we can come to inspect it and act if necessary.
Property owners are responsible for the powerlines, poles, and underground cables that supply electricity from Northpower's network to their property. In most cases, the service line starts at the property boundary.
It is important property owners keep trees away from their service lines. If your trees aren't regularly maintained and grow too close to service lines, this can be a hazard. Give us a call and we can he,lp arrange a free disconnection to stay safe while you're trimming or cutting your trees.
While we regularly carry out safety inspections on Northpower's network, property owners are responsible for their own service lines. You should regularly check service lines and poles on your property.
If you have concerns phone Northpower on 0800 66 78 47.
We're out and about every day checking the safety of our 5500km of lines but your real time “eyes on the ground” can help us with that.
If you do come across a guy wire that has come loose or doesn’t have an insulator on it, send us a photo with the location to info@northpower.com or call us on 0800 667 847.
Let’s stay safe together!