Top Energy wins Public Safety Award

Top Energy wins Public Safety Award

At the Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA) Conference held in Christchurch last week, local lines network company Top Energy won the EEA Industry Safety Award for Public Safety, for its ‘Close Approach Consents Process'.

The EEA’s Public Safety Award is aimed at promoting public safety in the electricity industry - to reduce electricity accidents involving the public and to raise awareness of electrical safety issues.

Minister of Energy and Resources, Gerry Brownlee presented Top Energy CEO, Russell Shaw with the Award.

According to EEA Executive Director, Peter Berry, "The Award encourages companies and their staff to be involved in public safety initiatives and to share safety ideas and procedures with others in our industry. Top Energy has put in place a public safety advertising programme highlighting safe behaviours when working in close proximity to overhead electricity lines and the company is providing a free enquiry and advice service to the Top Energy community."

Says Shaw, “We’re delighted to receive this Award, not only for the Public Safety Campaign itself, but also as recognition for the effort our Network and Contracting teams have put into developing our ‘SAFETY FIRST’ workplace and community culture. A lot of work went on behind the scenes including redefining our whole Close Approach management processes, training Professional Inspectors to provide consistent and helpful advice during free site visits and then targeting our message to non-electrical workers who could be at risk, working too close to power lines.”

In communicating its Close Approach Consent Process, Top Energy developed a public awareness campaign which included press and radio advertising, followed up by telemarketing and direct customer contact, based on the simple message, ‘If you’re working within 4 metres of power lines the site MUST be checked by TOP ENERGY.’ Other key messages delivered by the campaign included;
‘Follow the 4 metre rule around lines’, ‘Don’t dig within 5 metres of poles’ and ‘The advice is free – the repairs may not be’.

For more information about Top Energy’s Close Approach Consent Process, visit www.topenergy.co.nz and click on the 4M link.

ENDS

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