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

'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,' says EEA Executive Director Peter Berry.

Top Energy CEO Russell Shaw says, '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 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.'

Top Energy developed a public awareness campaign 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'. The campaign included press and radio advertising that was followed up by telemarketing and direct customer contact.

For more information about Top Energy's 'Close Approach Consents Process' visit the Top Energy website (www.topenergy.co.nz) and click on the 4M link.

Summarised from the Electricity Engineers' Association press release on Scoop 22 June 2010.