PowerNet Hosts Workplace Relations and Safety Minister and Local MP

PowerNet Hosts Workplace Relations and Safety Minister and Local MP Southern electricity asset management company, PowerNet, hosted Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Michael Woodhouse, and Invercargill MP, Sarah Dowie, at its Invercargill head office today (19 July 2017).

The two-hour visit included opportunities for Mr Woodhouse and Ms Dowie to discuss the company’s operations and to view PowerNet electricity distribution staff completing a training exercise, as well as discussing workplace health and safety in general, said PowerNet Chief Executive, Jason Franklin.

“We introduced the Minister to PowerNet’s work, including showcasing some of our health and safety processes. The visit was a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the Minister’s perspectives on workplace health and safety and to discuss potential ways workplace safety could be further improved in New Zealand,” he said.

After the initial briefing, Mr Woodhouse and Ms Dowie donned personal protection equipment to observe PowerNet trainees replacing an 11kV ABS switch on a power pole at the company’s training facility, followed by a team debrief of the exercise.

Mr Woodhouse and Ms Dowie also visited PowerNet’s System Control facility, which provides a 24/7 control and faults customer call service across the five Southern electricity distribution networks PowerNet manages.

As well as meeting Mr Franklin, the pair also met senior managers Justin Peterson and Jim Mathieson, field training staff Phil Johnson and trainee line mechanics Samantha Maurangi, Ione Pau, Paul Ashby and Sheamus McGuigan.