THE ENA BOARD AND EEA EXECUTIVE ESTABLISHED A JOINT PUBLIC SAFETY WORKING GROUP IN 2014

It has the following objectives:

• To analyse available data on incident trends;
• To share details and learning from incidents;
• To identify and communicate critical safety information to key audiences;
• To develop consistent national safety information for public and media release;
• To facilitate in a managed and consistent way the distribution of public safety messages

TERMS OF REFERENCE

"Public" includes third party contractors in addition to members of the general public. It is also defined as 'anyone who is not an employee or an authorised contractor working on behalf of the asset owner'.

"Public Safety Incident", any event involving the presence or operation of electricity supply industry assets in which or by which:

1. a member of the public suffers or may have suffered serious harm, or
2. property of a member of the public suffers or may have suffered significant damage.

OBJECTIVES

• To analyse available data on incident trends;
• To share details and learning from incidents;
• To identify and communicate critical safety information to key audiences;
• To develop consistent national safety information for public and media release;
• To facilitate in a managed and consistent way the distribution of public safety information through the media and the community, using government agencies and key industry representatives and other stakeholders;

Identify critical public safety issues:

• Lack of awareness of hazards around networks and generation assets
• Accidental contact with Overhead Lines (OHLs) and underground services.
• Trespass and vandalism including metal theft
• Waterways associated with generation assets
• Target audiences
• Public (children / DIY / range of leisure activities)
• Rural sector (forestry & agriculture)
• Non Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) contractors working near assets

Membership

Generation, transmission, distribution and retail. WorkSafe NZ as observers.

Governance

• Report to ENA Board and EEA Executive Committee
• Meet 2 - 3 times per year
• Link to NZ7901 Public Safety KPIs
• Liaise with Networks H&S Forum, StayLive and other relevant groups