safety for diyers
With the excitement of getting out the tools, gardening gloves or even heavy machinery, it's easy to forget that there are some hidden dangers around your home that could lead to a serious accident.
Here are three simple rules you can follow up to help stay safe.
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Rule 1: Look up
Electricity will always look for the quickest way to the ground so make sure it's not through you.
Look up to avoid touching overhead lines when carrying ladders and other tall objects or machinery.
- Assume all overhead lines are live electricity lines.
- If you are trimming a tree, check first to ensure power lines don't run through or near it. If the tree is within four metres of a network powerline, call us on 0508 VECTOR (832 867) to trim the tree safely (the first trim is always free).
- If you are putting up a high structure like an antennae make sure you check for clearance from lines first. Make sure network powerlines are more than 7.5 metres from where you want to work. When considering things such as a flagpole ensure not only the pole but the flag itself has clearance. If you are working near your private service line then call us on 0508 VECTOR (832 867) and get a free temporary power disconnection or find a contractor to assist you with working safely near electricity.
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Rule 2: Look down
Underground electricity cables and gas pipes are everywhere. They could be under your lawn or driveway.
- Call 0508 B4U WORK (0508 248 967) to find out the location of electricity cables or gas pipes under your property.
- If you have cables or pipes below, make sure you avoid digging in their location. If you are breaking concrete and need equipment such as a rock breaker or excavator to dig but have established that there are cables or pipes nearby, make sure you get a professional contractor to carry out initial digging work.
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Rule 3: Look out
Electricity flows through water, so don't lead it to you. When painting, waterblasting or even just using a hose near a power outlet, make sure you switch the power off at the mains first, or use a residual current device (RCD). These can be purchased from most hardware stores.
- Never let appliances, cords or plugs come into contact with water.
- Be sure to use waterproof exterior power plugs.
- If you're putting up outdoor lights, make sure they are low voltage and safe for outdoor use. Use an RCD so the power is automatically disconnected in the event of a fault.
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Safety for kids
Our award winning school safety programme teaches kids how to stay safe around our electricity network and assets, as well as being sustainable with their energy use.
Vector's interactive and engaging programmes are offered free to all primary and intermediate schools within our Auckland electricity network area, and are delivered by our dedicated schools educator.
Every pupil receives a free pack including a workbook which uses puzzles, games and experiments to bring their learning to life and encourage then to share their knowledge with family and friends, and a pencil made from recycled paper.
Our vectorschools.co.nz website provides resources for pupils, teachers and parents too, so that they can get actively involved in supporting learning at home, school and out in the community.
Programme overview:
- Stay Safe around Electricity (aimed at years 3 to 6) is connected to the curriculum through Science and Health & Physical Education (Levels 2, 3 & 4).
- Be Sustainable with Energy (aimed at years 4 to 7) is linked to the curriculum in Science, Maths, Statistics & Technology (Levels 3 and 4).
Teachers can book free school presentations here or alternatively you can find out more at vectorschools.co.nz
Vector was awarded the NZ Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA) Public Safety Award for its schools programmes in 2012 and 2014.
Safety for rural landowners
Whether you live on a lifestyle block or on a farm, you could have overhead power lines or gas pipelines running through your property.
It's important you prevent damage to our pipelines and overhead power lines and keep yourself and your family safe. Head to our ‘working near our network’ page for more information. You must also follow safe working distances from overhead lines and there are building restrictions near lines.
If you are unsure about anything, then before you start any work near our networks, call 0508 832 867
Safety for boaties
We have a number of underwater cables in the Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour, providing power to island communities and vital links in the Auckland network.
The cables carry up to 33,000 volts, so damage to the cables could result in death or serious injury, as well as lengthy power cuts to the island communities.
To avoid an accident, boaties are not permitted to fish or anchor over the cable routes. Markers show where cables enter and leave the water, and routes are shown on marine charts NZ 5324 and NZ 533.
See our cable route map.
Because of the safety risk and the potential disruption to thousands of people, the penalties for wilfully damaging the underwater cables can be significant, in addition to the costs to repair any broken cables.
If you snag an underwater cable, don't try to tug it free. The safest thing to do is note your position and then abandon your gear. Call 0508 VECTOR (0508 832 867) with the location details. We may retrieve the equipment or reimburse you for the cost of replacing the abandoned equipment.
Watch out for overhead lines around boat ramps too or when towing your boat on land. If a boat mast has brought down the power lines around a vehicle, the safest way to avoid electric shock is for occupants to stay in the vehicle until help arrives. They should only try to get away from the vehicle if another urgent situation, such as a fire in the car, forces them to evacuate. In this case jump well clear without touching metal surfaces. Do not touch the machine and ground at the same time.
In the event of an electrical shock, don't touch the victim until you are certain the source of electricity has been removed. Call 111.
Also refer to what to do in an emergency.