Safety for others

Below are some words of advice for staying safe in several situations around our transmission assets. 

If power lines are down

If you see lines down, never approach them. Call 111 immediately. You can also reach us on our 24-hour hotline: 0800 THE GRID (0800 843 4743).

Make sure people and animals keep well away. Downed power lines are extremely dangerous.

If a power line comes into contact with your vehicle while you are in it, do not exit the vehicle until a rescue worker has told you it is safe to do so.

If it is an extreme emergency, such as your vehicle is on fire, and you do have to get out, do so without touching metal and ground at the same time - jump as far as you can.

Want to report another type of emergency? Call us immediately on our 24-hour hotline: 0800 THE GRID (0800 843 4743).

Safety around overhead lines in urban areas

Look up!

If there is a line above you, take it into consideration. Electricity can jump from transmission line wires (conductors). You do not have to touch them to be electrocuted – just being close can be very dangerous. Always keep yourself or anything you are touching at least 4 metres away from 110kV lines and at least 6 metres away from 220kV lines.

TV aerials

If you’re having someone install an aerial at your place, ensure they will be able to maintain the safe separation distances we require (4 metres away from 110 kV lines, 6 metres away from 220 kV lines). Give us a call if you have concerns – it’s not a risk worth taking. Call 0800 THE GRID (0800 843 4743) or contact us here.

Kites and model airplanes

Do not fly kites or model airplanes anywhere near lines. A kite string can act as a conductor for electricity if any part of the kite touches the transmission lines. If you do get a kite snagged on a wire, let go of the string immediately and call us.
Information about operating UAVs (drones) near transmission lines.

General safety precautions

Don’t light fires
Do not light fires under or near lines without first discussing it with Transpower or your network company.

Don’t attach something to a transmission structure
Do not connect metallic objects like fence wires or clothes lines to towers or poles.

Don’t plan earthworks, landscaping, or planting close to lines
Do not build, excavate, dump or stockpile fill or plant trees close to a transmission line. Get in touch if you have questions, or view these pages on safe digging and safe vegetation management.

 

Safety near our structures and buildings

We have designed all of our assets (towers, pylons, substations, etc.) to keep you at a safe distance from high voltage electricity.

To avoid injury do not climb our structures or enter restricted areas.

Please follow the precautions below when near our towers, poles, and substations.

Do: follow instructions on signs

Obey minimum safe distances to avoid harm. We have clearly marked signs and fences to keep you at a safe distance from high-voltage environments, such as enclosures or substations. 

Don’t: attach anything to a structure
Do not connect metallic objects like fence wires or clothes lines to towers or poles.

Don’t: attempt to climb structures or fences
Structures and fences are built to keep you safe from dangerous electrical assets. Electricity can jump from transmission line wires (conductors). You do not have to touch them to be electrocuted – just being close can be very dangerous.

Don't: install a metallic fence within 12 metres of our towers
Metallic structures closer than 12 metres from our towers have the potential to become electrically charged in the event of a electricity fault, like a lightning strike.

Safety around water

Catch fish – not lines or cables!

Fishing

If you’re fishing near transmission lines, be careful when you’re casting! Casting can result in the fishing line coming into contact with the transmission conductors overhead, and becoming a conductor itself. Our lines are high voltage, which means that even if your line doesn’t touch ours, it could still act as a conductor if it gets close.  Look up!

Boating safely near overhead lines

Whether you’re a recreational boatie, a professional sailor, or a commercial fisher – it’s important to stay aware of overhead lines.

When near transmission lines, take care not to let your mast or any aerials come close to overhead lines. You’ll need to exercise the same care when towing your boat on land – look up and know where the lines are. As a rule, keep your boat and aerials at least 4 metres away from the lines at all times. 

Where transmission lines cross navigable lakes or rivers, conductor heights are often specifically increased as an extra safety precaution.  However, it’s still important to remain vigilant especially when boats navigate close to the mid-span low point in the lines.

The Cook Strait CPZ (Cable Protection Zone)

There is a Cable Protection Zone (CPZ) in Cook Strait, where Transpower’s submarine power and fibre-optic telecommunications cables lie on the seabed.

FOR ANY VESSEL OF ANY SIZE, FISHING AND ANCHORING ARE ILLEGAL WITHIN THE CPZ. 

We urge all boat users to pay attention to the protected areas and be mindful of the rules when in a CPZ. Protecting these cables is in everyone's best interests.

More on the Cook Strait CPZ

Safety for drone operators

Aerial drones or unmanned aircraft and electrical lines don't mix.

If you are operating an aerial drone that has accidentally come into contact with a power line, tower, substation, or other electrical site, do not attempt to retrieve the vehicle.

To comply with health and safety conditions, you must be a minimum of 12 metres away from our lines at all times. Call us immediately on 0800 THE GRID (0800 843 4743) and get our help. 

At no time should aerial drones, unmanned aircraft, or model aircraft be anywhere near electrical lines or other electrical equipment.

Aerial vehicles that come near high voltage power lines could cause a loss of electrical supply or damage electricity infrastructure, as well as significantly damage or destroy the vehicle. These aircraft do not need to come in direct contact with high voltage power lines for electricity to arc and destroy the vehicle, cause a loss of power, or cause serious injury or harm to people and property. 

If you are operating an unmanned aircraft or drone, be aware of electrical assets in the environment, and ensure you and your vehicle stay well away from them.

We strongly recommend that you and the vehicle avoid power lines, towers, substations and other structures, and stay a minimum of 12 m away from them.

Judging distance from the ground or via an onboard camera is difficult and does not provide an accurate measurement, so we urge vehicle operators to be cautious and avoid areas where there are overhead lines and other electrical assets.

Information about operating aerial drones legally in New Zealand can be obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority, and from the Airshare website.

Planning to fly a drone near Transpower’s lines or stations? 

Check out these resources to find out how to do so safely:

Or contact us at [email protected]

More information can be found here.

 

Safety for crane operators, users and owners

Overhead power lines are a critical hazard for cranes

If your crane or its load comes into contact with power lines, it can conduct electricity - puting the crane operator, dogman, and all those nearby at risk of being electrocuted. Electrocution can seriously harm or even kill you.

Electricity can arc (jump) through the air even without direct contact, so ensure you keep at least 4 metres between your equipment, load and power lines at all times. You refer to the below documents for more information:

Stay alert for electrical hazards

Ensure your planning takes any electrical hazards into account. There must be sufficient clearance between the crane and other structures or plant. The path of the load must be carefully planned, and at no point come within 4 metres of overhead power lines.

Remember ...

Transmission lines carry electricity at very high voltages. Getting too close to them is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Keep your teammates safe

It's important that you make sure others on your work site are aware of the dangers posed by working around transmission lines, and that these hazards are taken into account during planning and throughout the work.

You can read more about crane safety from Worksafe.

If in doubt, ask us

One of our people can visit you to discuss your particular situation, and advise on the potential impact and risks of what you want to do and how to proceed (for example, you may need to obtain engineering advice). We can help you manage the work to ensure safety around your site.

If you have any questions or want advice, call us on 0800 THE GRID (0800 843 4743).

Safety signage available

Education is critical to keeping people safe around our lines. We have warning signs and stickers available for you to place in crane cabs, as well as a laminated crane safety poster for you to display in your tea room.

We encourage you to use the signs and stickers to help remind you to 'Look out and look up.' To request any of these resources for your site or equipment, contact us via our website or email us direct at: [email protected].

Electrical Safe Distances are set out in New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice 34 (NZECP 34:2001). 

Safety for DIY-ers and contractors

Stay aware of electrical assets in your environment. Always keep yourself or anything you are touching at least 4 metres away from 110kV lines and at least 6 metres away from 220kV lines.

Before digging or excavating

It’s extremely important that you put safety first before you get started by requesting plans to see if there is anything underground at your proposed dig site.

It’s free to do this through beforeUdig, a service that helps you to determine the presence of underground assets. Making contact with a live power, gas or telecommunications cable could have extremely serious consequences – the safest thing to do is to ensure there is nothing there before you start.

You can Visit the beforeUdig website, Email the beforeUdig team, or call them on:  0800 248 344

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As a DIYer or contractor, you face many safety hazards when it comes to electricity in and outside the home.

Although Transpower’s main safety concern for DIYers and contractors relates to our underground cables and overhead transmission lines, please be aware of other electricity risks such as rewiring (we recommend leaving this to an expert), painting, vegetation management, and equipment use. We recommend contacting your local lines company if you have specific questions.

This service helps protect people, assets and communities. It’s quick and easy. We have an info guide with further advice here. 

Safety for farmers

Stay aware of hazards

Most of your day-to-day activities should be unaffected by the presence of our transmission lines. However, there are some things to be aware of – especially when you’ve got your head down and you’re focusing on the task at hand, not on what’s around you.

Stay at a safe distance

Keep 4 metres away from power lines at all times.

Electricity can arc (jump) through the air from power lines to you, to trees, or to your equipment within this distance. Treat every power line as live at all times.

Park stock trucks and large vehicles (such as harvesters) away from overhead lines, and work well away from towers and poles. Keep clear of power lines when working on the upper levels of stock trucks or on high loads.

Look up and check where lines are before raising any tractor attachments, augers, ladders, or using any lifting equipment or raising dump truck beds.

Be careful with your irrigation system. Store, load and unload metal irrigation pipes well away from power lines. If you need to stand them up, make sure you’re well clear of any lines. Keep jet irrigators and the booms of rotary irrigators clear of all power lines. The tips of rotary irrigators must be kept 4 metres from power lines at all times whether they are in use or not.

Work safely around and under lines

Be cautious when moving vehicles with elevated platforms (e.g. grain augers, ladders, drills and dump truck beds).  Always have lifting equipment in a lowered position before moving it under lines. Know where the lines are.

Select a safe route when moving tall machinery – a route where the transmission lines are high enough to give at least a 4 metre clearance. 

Manage growth

Trees and vegetation must always be more than 4 metres away from 110 kV lines, and 6 metres away from 220 kV lines. Vegetation management is a key part of keeping safe around transmission lines and towers. Trees growing too close to power lines may cause:

a fault which will affect the operation of the line injury or death to someone near the tree damage to land and property.

Also: It’s quite common to use the roadside for grazing or haymaking. But make sure you find out where underground power cables or gas mains are first!

If in doubt, ask us

One of our people can visit you to discuss your particular situation, and advise on the potential impact and risks of what you want to do and how to proceed (for example, you may need to obtain engineering advice). We can help you manage the work to ensure safety around your site, and in most cases, this will be at no cost to you.. If you want to talk to us about something, call 0508 526 369 (0508 LANDOWNER).

More information is in the part of this website for Landowners.

This service helps protect people, assets and communities. It’s quick and easy and free. We have an info guide with further advice here.

Never touch or trim a tree you think may be closer than the minimum safe distance to a power line. If you are unsure of, or unable to, determine the voltage of lines near you, ensure you are never closer than 6 metres to any lines.

If you feel a tree is closer than the minimum safe distance to a line, get in touch with us and we will point you to an approved expert who can carry out the trimming safely. Also, get in touch with us if you want to discuss safe ways to manage vegetation or trees.

Earthworks, landscaping, fencing and drainage

Is anything underground at your proposed dig site? Use beforeUdig, a free service that helps you to determine the presence of underground assets. Making contact with a live power, gas or telecommunications cable could cause bodily harm and damage to property – the safest thing to do is to ensure there is nothing there before you start.

Visit the beforeUdig website, Email the beforeUdig team, or call the beforeUdig team free on  0800 248 344

Safety for horticulturalists and pickers

Look out, look up! – Minimum approach distances

Horticulture can be hazardous, and working around transmission lines increases the danger. Electricity can arc through the air even without direct contact. High voltage electricity flowing into trees can also cause them to ignite. Trees and shrubs should be kept clear of lines at all times – and people shouldn’t get too close either. Treat every power line as live at all times.

Know your property

Locate all the lines that pass over your property. Find out what voltage they are.

Work safely around and under lines

Be cautious when moving vehicles with elevated platforms (e.g. grain augers, ladders, drills and dump truck beds).  Always have lifting equipment in a lowered position before moving it under lines. Know where the lines are.

Select a safe route when moving tall machinery – a route where the transmission lines are high enough to give at least a 4 metre clearance. 

Vegetation must not be within 4m of a conductor and shall be trimmed when within 5m of a conductor (Notice Zone). Any part of any mobile plant or load carried must be at least 4 metres away from 110 kV lines. If you don’t know the voltage of the lines, stay 6m away.

Safety signage available

We have warning signs available to you, as well as warning stickers for mobile plant. Education is critical to keeping people safe around our lines – we encourage you to use the signs on fences and gates where mobile plant may pass. Contact us and we’ll get some to you.

Electrical Safe Distances are set out in New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice 34 (NZECP 34:2001). 

Keep your workers safe

It’s important that you make your workers aware of the dangers posed by working around transmission lines.

We’ve produced a guide for you to help educate seasonal pickers.

Electric and magnetic fields

Transpower is the owner and operator of the National Grid – the high voltage transmission network made up of lines and substations connecting areas of electricity generation with towns and cities across New Zealand.

We have a commitment that applies to the EMF of extremely low frequency as associated with Transpower’s electricity transmission assets - its transmission lines, substations and cables. You can read more about this commitment here.

All electricity produces electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and our transmission lines are no different. Some people have concerns surrounding the perceived health effects of EMF exposure, and numerous studies have been undertaken internationally on the subject.

If you have concerns over EMF levels from one of our lines over your land, you may find the factsheets below useful. Alternatively, you can contact us directly.

* The National Policy Statement and National Environmental Standard on Electricity Transmission are instruments under the Resource Management Act  to manage the environmental effects associated with electricity transmission. These apply the 1998 EMF health protection guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) to manage EMF associated with transmission lines. The ICNIRP re-issued their guidelines in 2010, revising the public exposure limit for magnetic field from 100 to 200 µT (micro tesla) and NZ Ministry of Health recommend the revised limit. However, the 1998 guidelines apply to electricity transmission until the above RMA instruments are revised by the Ministry for the Environment.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health also provide information in its publication ‘Electric and Magnetic Fields and Your Health’ which can be found here.

Factsheets on EMF

 

Your safety