Working Near Lines
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Anyone working or building near power lines and power poles must understand their legal obligations.
The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 requires that a person who carries out any construction, building, excavation, or other work on or near an electric line must maintain safe distances in accordance with NZECP 34.
NZECP 34 is the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances. It exists to protect people, property, vehicles, and mobile equipment from the risks of electrocution, serious injury, and costly damages or remedial work.
Anyone involved in building or working near power lines and poles has responsibilities under NZECP 34. This includes property developers, architects, surveyors, builders, scaffolders, roofers, even homeowners carrying our property maintenance or improvements such as putting up a fence, cleaning gutters, or laying a driveway, etc.
Having an approved resource or building consent does not guarantee compliance with NZECP 34.
Ensuring compliance with NZECP 34 early in your planning process is essential for safely working near power lines and power poles. This can help you avoid disruptions, additional costs, and changes to architectural plans, or the need to relocate overhead power lines later.
What is covered under NZECP 34?
This includes, but is not limited to:
• Houses/buildings
• Using scaffolding
• Portable buildings and marquees
• Building fences
• Digging/laying a driveway
• Raising ground levels
• Erecting signs
• Artificial shelter belts and canopies