Watch out for the Shocking Overheads (with Māori Text) - Media Statement
[ Last Updated 9 March 2006 ]
If you are planning some home maintenance work such as painting or trimming trees, be careful when you are working in the vicinity of power lines where they enter your house. These lines are not safe to touch. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs' Energy Safety Service warns that there are risks associated with working near power lines. There have been deaths as a result of people touching overhead power lines or the conductors where they enter the house. Your risk of being injured is increased if power lines or conductors are damaged. It is actually up to the homeowners to maintain power lines within their properties - not the electricity lines company.
The Energy Safety Service has the following overhead power lines safety tips:
- Me āta whakarite, tēnā e tiakina paitia ngā raina hiko i tō whenua. Me whakamahi he kaimahi hiko whai raihana i ngā wā katoa, mō ngā whakatikatika hiko e hiahiatia ana.
Make sure that power lines on your property are well maintained. Always use a licensed electrical worker for all electrical repairs.
- Ki te whakatō koe he rākau, me tawhiti noa iho ēnei i ngā raina hiko. Me tapahi hoki ngā peka o ngā rākau mehemea kua tata rawa ki te raina hiko. I mua i te tahuri ki te whakatū he raina whakairi kākahu, he pou irirangi rānei mō te pouaka whakaata, he mea kē rānei e tāroaroa nei te hanga, me titiro mehemea kei te wātea noa iho ngā raina hiko.
Plant trees well away from power lines and keep the branches trimmed if required. Before installing a clothesline, TV antenna or other high structure, check for clearance of power lines.
- Me kōrero ki te kamupene whakarato hiko o tō rohe i mua i te tahuri ki te mahi, ki te whakatü rānei he arawhata, e tata ana ki ngā raina hiko. Me whakamaherehere ngā mahi, ā, me whakarite kia whakawetea te hiko e te kamupene whakarato mehemea e hiahiatia ana.
Consult with your local electricity supplier before carrying out any work or using a ladder close to lines. Plan your work and arrange to have the power disconnected by the supplier, if necessary.
- Mehemea e eke ana koe i te arawhata, e whakamahi ana rānei i tētahi mea tāroaroa, ā, e tata ana koe ki ngā raina hiko, me tūpato tonu koe ki te wāhi kei runga ake i a koe. Kaua e tukuna kia pā atu ki ngā raina hiko. Me tūpato anō hoki ki ngā mea o raro – me mātua titiro koe ki te whenua, i mua i te karinga o te whenua, me kore e tūpono ka kitea he paipa korohü, he raina hiko, he paipa wai rānei kei raro i te whenua.
If you are using a ladder or handling a tall object near power lines, keep on eye on what is above you - don't let it come in contact with power lines. Watch out for what's below - make sure you check for the presence of any underground gas, power or water services before you dig.
- Ki te whakamahi koe he mīhini hiko o waho, me whakamahi anō hoki tētahi mīhini RCD (Residual Current Device), tētahi tōrua whakawehe (isolating transformer) rānei i ngā wā katoa.
If you are operating any electrical equipment outdoors, always use a Residual Current Device (RCD) or an isolating transformer.
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