An Asset Protection Officer (APO) may be required depending on the nature of the work and the controls you plan to implement. A site audit is often used to assess this. The audit helps determine whether APO involvement is necessary, and if so, at what stage of the project their input will be needed. This assessment may need to be repeated at various stages of the project, as changes or unforeseen obstacles could alter the original scope or direction.
Close Approach Consent
When work is carried out near our assets, a Close Approach Consent (CAC) ensures it is done safely and in line with industry regulations. This process helps protect customers, contractors, and the network by confirming all safety requirements are met before work begins. It’s a key part of how we keep our communities and crews safe.
Who requires a CAC?
A Close Approach Consent (CAC) is required for anyone working near our power infrastructure, including building contractors, road construction teams, stormwater culvert installers, farmers near powerlines, and even DIY projects at home. If the work is too close, it may require a safe disconnect, which an approved contractor can handle.
Farmers, for example, need to apply for a safe disconnect when working on private service lines. The CAC ensures safety around underground cables and overhead powerlines, particularly for contractors working in road reserves or near electrical equipment.
Do not begin work until you’ve received approval for the consent. If you are unsure, please contact us for a site visit.
Applying for a Close Approach Consent
A Close Approach Consent is required if you need to work within specific distances of our power infrastructure for safety reasons. This includes:
- Working within 4 metres of overhead power lines (Minimum Approach Distance or MAD)
- Digging within 2 metres of cables, and 4m of power poles
- Excavating near foundations such as RMUs, transformers, or anchors within 5 metres.
Obtaining consent helps keep you and others safe when working near live electrical equipment or power lines. It’s a legal requirement under NZECP 34 and ensures the right safety measures are in place before any work begins.
If you’re overseeing the work, it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone on site is protected and that all safety rules are followed.
What to Expect and Why It’s Important
To ensure safety and protect everyone involved, here’s why this process is important and what you need to know:
1
Start by gathering the right information
Before applying for consent, make sure you have everything ready — including your work methodology, a BeforeUdig plan, and asset information. These will need to be shown on a site map.
2
Confirm the type of work you’re doing
There’s a difference between working near the network and working directly on it. If it’s the latter, additional approvals and planned disconnections are needed to keep everyone safe.
3
Be prepared for a possible site audit
Sometimes, an Asset Protection Officer (APO) will need to visit the site. If that happens, there may be costs involved.
4
The site supervisor has an important role
They must be on-site and contact our Network Operations Control (NOC) both before starting and after finishing work each day. This keeps communication clear and helps us support you.
5
We’ll make safety adjustments on our end
For ongoing work, we may disable the reclose function (single-shot) — this stops the power from automatically restoring if there’s a fault while you’re working.
6
Have a plan in case something goes wrong
If there’s a cable strike or line contact, follow the emergency steps outlined in your approved methodology straight away.
7
Keep us in the loop if things change
The Close Approach Consent is issued to the named site supervisor. If that person changes, let us know so we can update our records and keep everything running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve put together some handy info to clear up the things people ask about most.
When is a APO required?
When is a stand over required?
When our control room deems the work consistently in a hazardous area or when working very close to the power lines, which is considered high risk.
- When a site inspection is requested by the Network Operations Control (NOC). A Counties Energy APO will attend the site and conduct an audit. NOC will decide if a stand-over is needed based on the inspection results.
- You must book an APO within 5 days after the consent is approved.
How long is a Close Approach Consent valid for?
A Close Approach Consent is valid for a maximum of 3 months, or when site conditions change.
How will the consent be issued?
The Close Approach Consent will be issued via email, accompanied by an information pack.
What does the APO do during a stand over?
The APO will guide and advise on missing or poor controls as indicated by the consent OR stop work if there is an imminent risk.
What does the APO not do:
The APO does not control people’s plant or other equipment on site. They do not act as a safety observer, generally.