Fall zone and forestry felling consent

Regulation 17 of 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 New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances (NZECP 34:2001).

Minimum safe distances have been set by NZECP 34 primarily to protect persons, property, vehicles and mobile plant from harm or damage from electrical hazards. 

Key requirements of NZECP 34 include: 

• The distance between any live overhead electric line and any part of any mobile plant or load carried shall be “AT LEAST 4.0 METRES”, unless the operator has received written consent from the overhead electric line owner allowing a reduced distance. 
• The distance between any exposed live parts and persons (including tools held) shall be “AT LEAST 4.0 METRES”, unless the person has received written consent from the owner of the live parts allowing a reduced distance. 
• Mobile plant or any load carried shall not operate above the conductors of any overhead electric line unless the operator has received written consent from the overhead electric line owner to work above the overhead electric line.