Your safety

Safety comes first. We have strategies and plans in place to minimise potential risks associated with Trustpower’s operations. Our safety commitment is to the general public, as well as to our customers, staff and contractors.

Caution symbol IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 111

Call us immediately on 0800 87 87 87 if you think your electricity or gas supply may be hazardous.

In the event of an electrical emergency

If it is safe, turn off your electricity supply at the main switch. This should be located in the switchboard and labelled as ‘Main Switch’.
If someone has been shocked don’t touch them. Disconnect the power source or move the source away with a non-conductive object like a wooden broom handle. Call 111 immediately.
Treat any fallen power lines as live. Do not go near the lines or any trees or branches touching them.
If people or animals are trapped by downed lines, leave them and have them stay in place until emergency crews arrive or advise that electricity has been disconnected.
Electricity from lines can jump – stay at least 8 metres away at all times.
If you can smell electrical burning, turn off your electricity at the main switch and call the fire service on 111 immediately.

In the event of a reticulated gas emergency

If you smell gas, get outside immediately, leave doors open to ventilate.
Shut your gas off.
Leave the premises and call the fire service on 111 from a safe distance.
Do NOT use matches, lighters or cigarettes in the area.
Do NOT use a telephone or mobile phone around any suspected gas leak.
Avoid switching any lights or electrical appliances in the area on or off.

In the event of a gas bottle emergency

If safe, turn off supply.
Open doors/windows.
Vacate the premise.
Do NOT use matches, lighters or cigarettes in the area.

Power Safety

Check out below for information on power faults and their causes and what to do when experiencing a power fault.

Types of power faults and their causes

What to do if you are experiencing a power fault

What to do if a tree or object has fallen on a power line

Safety disconnections

Gas & LPG Safety

Check out the below information regarding reticulated gas and LPG safety at your home.

Reticulated gas safety

How to turn your gas supply off

Safe installation and ongoing maintenance

LPG safety

Safety at Home

Before you work or excavate close to power lines and cabling, you must first gain written permission. This is very important for safety and for compliance with the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice. See below for more information regarding safety in and around your home.

Safety at home

Our Compliance

Power, gas and telecommunication networks all carry inherent risks. Everyone should be alert to potential risk around waterways, on large structures and during events such as storms and floods. Without due attention and care, there will always be risk.

We have a comprehensive Public Safety Management Plan. This aims to minimise risk of injury to the general public and risk of damage to property, that may result from our assets and operations. The plan complies with the NZS7901:2008 Safety Management System for Public Safety. It spans the asset lifecycle, including construction, maintenance and operation.

Trustpower’s safety planning also involves full compliance with the following New Zealand Safety Regulations:

Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010

Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010

Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003