A1 Case Study: InstaPower Electrical Engineers' Safety Concerns

This case study examines the health and safety concerns of electrical engineers at InstaPower, an electrical supply company in Wellington, New Zealand. The engineers, represented by the Electrical Workers Union (EU), are facing increased injuries due to ageing and inadequate safety equipment used for maintaining and repairing high-voltage cables and substations. The case study highlights the union's communication with the company's management, including the National Health & Safety (H&S) manager, Jane Cohen, and the General Manager, Peter Ropata, expressing the engineers' grievances and the potential threat of a strike. The engineers' representative outlines the hazards associated with the work, emphasizing the need to comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act and power system safety rules. The letter details specific equipment deficiencies, such as inadequate LV/MV/HV voltage detectors, insulating sticks, and gloves, and requests immediate replacement of critical safety equipment. The response from the Senior Leadership Team acknowledges the concerns and promises prompt action, including replacing the safety equipment by a specified date and emphasizing the importance of adherence to safety protocols and third-party inspections, and avoiding any type of contact to exposed portions.

Electrical Engg.
Strategic Workplace Communication
Letter
Mr. Peter Ropata
General Manager
Insta Power
New Zealand
Dated : 02-08-2019
Dear Sir,
This is hereby to inform you that Insta Power is an electrical supply company based in
Wellington. The company does the maintenance as well as repair work of high voltage cables
in New Zealand. This is a work full of hazards for the electrical engineers. In the last 1 year,
the number of injuries for the electrical engineers has increased. None of the injuries was
serious but some of the accidents could have been very dangerous. It was also brought to the
notice of the National Health & Safety ( H & S ) manager, Ms. Jane Cohen. She was
sympathetic towards the issue but she did not have the authority to help in any manner. On
behalf of the electrical engineers, I would like to inform you that the cause of this is the
ageing and inadequate safety equipment.
I would like to throw some light on the fact that there are certain obligations under the new
Health & Safety at Work Act. The PCBU ( Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking )
has certain duties under the Act. A working environment that is safe needs to be assured.
For the high voltage transmission cables, some power system safety rules need to be
followed. These are needed to make sure that the workers are safe in areas where there is a
possibility of an induced voltage or a transfer of earth potential. In working with high voltage
cables, such work practices need to be followed. These include following a proper policy,
accountability, HV transmission cables – in service, isolated only, as disconnected apparatus,

isolated and earthed. The principles are – Bonded Earth Mat conditions, Insulated Working
Conditions and Safe Work Methods. Routine maintenance involves – Sheath repair, link
boxes, oil and gas feed equipment, cable pressure monitoring equipment using testing
equipment. Non routine maintenance work is involved in case of making joint in a cable,
breakdown of a joint in HV cable, termination of pilot cable, metallic part repair in HV /
pivot cable and the installation and pulling of HV / pivot cables.
The high voltage electrical safety equipment is necessary for safe working and protection of
workers during various processes. The 3 major incidents are due to discrepancy in the
following – LV MV HV Voltage detector, Insulating sticks and Insulating gloves. The
insulating gloves must be used when working on or near live LV conductors. An accident
occurred around 10 times due to lack of adequate number of insulating gloves.
It is a humble request to kindly replace the key safety equipment. It will be a very grateful
act.
Thanking You
Yours Faithfully
ABC
Representative for Electrical Engineers
Electrical Workers Union ( EU )
New Zealand
Email
Dear Electrical Engineers,
It is understood that it is significant to take immediate action and to develop a plan to start
replacing the ageing and inadequate safety equipment used by electrical engineers. All the
concerns have been noted and adequate action will be taken to solve the problems. It will be
done at the beginning of next month. The safety equipment will be replaced on time and will
be done before 07-09-2019.
Some points to be kept in mind in future are : Any high voltage installation is subject to
testing as well as third party inspection. The works as well as installations which are unsafe

need to be defined. The verification and checking of the systems periodically is necessary.
Any type of contact to the exposed portions must be avoided. The power must get
automatically disconnected in case of a fault. The electric current must not be allowed to pass
through the body of a person who touches some part of the work or installation.
The safety of the staff is more important than any monetary gains. The needful will be done
at the earliest.
Regards
Senior Leadership Team
Insta Power, New Zealand