Health, Safety & Wellness
Work Safe. Home Safe.
Pioneer Energy Group is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and any contractors working in field operations and other business activities. This commitment also extends to members of the public. Pioneer Energy Group is accredited to ISO 45001, the international standard for occupational health and safety and NZS7901 the New Zealand standard for managing public safety around our assets.
This commitment extends to our subsidiaries and partnerships. We work to develop and maintain a culture where all of our people feel they make a positive difference and where they take personal responsibility and ownership for their own health, safety and wellbeing as well as their role in relation to public safety.
Our Strategic Health, Safety and Wellness Objectives are:
Zero Harm at Work
Reduce the number of driving related events
Maintain ISO 45001 Accreditation
Reduction in non-compliances to HSW policies, processes and procedures
Improvement of effectiveness of controls for critical risks
Improve management awareness of HSW issues
Improve staff awareness of mental health and wellness issues.
Public Safety
Dams and reservoirs, wind turbines and heat plant stations are used for the generation of energy. All generating facilities can be interesting places to visit, however these areas may be dangerous to the unwary.
Observe these safety precautions around all generation facilities:
Respect fenced and gated areas and observe all danger and warning safety signs;
Stay on designated trails and within marked observation areas;
Supervise children closely.
Many utility services run underground for safety and aesthetic reasons, but out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. Digging close to generation facilities could result in serious injury or death. Always contact your local cable location service if you plan to do any landscaping or other work that involves digging or excavating.
Hydro-Electric Sites
Some hazards are readily apparent and some are not. Hazards such as water flows, both upstream and downstream of dams and generating facilities, may change quickly and without warning. This could be particularly hazardous to swimmers, kayakers or anyone fishing.
As a rule remember to:
Stay clear of all facilities including dams, powerhouses and all electrical equipment;
Stay outside of safety booms and buoys and away from all dam structures;
Be alert for changes in water levels;
Stay off dams or station structures, unless Pioneer Energy Renewables has clearly marked public walkways or observation points;
Stay well back from the edge of a waterway. Surfaces may be slippery or unstable
Never stand, anchor or tie your boat below a dam due to rapidly changing water levels In winter, avoid walking on reservoirs near dams and generating stations. Ice forming near a dam or hydro-electric station can be thinner and less consistent than ice elsewhere because of changing water flows beneath.
Boating Safety
If out on the water, always treat hydroelectric facilities and dams that are part of them, with respect. Always pay attention to buoys and barriers and be aware that sirens, flashing lights and horns mean imminent danger. It is important to obey any warning signs.
Lake Monowai is picture-perfect, and a very popular destination for swimming, picnicking and boating. If out boating on Lake Monowai, please use the signposted boat launch and landing areas.
Wind
The wind is an abundant, natural, renewable resource and creates emission-free energy. Wind turbines are safe, have no impact on livestock, do not create excessive levels of noise and are compatible with the agricultural community.
Our wind turbines meet international engineering design and manufacturing safety standards. Potential public safety issues resulting from wind turbine operation may include falling ice. Blade throws or stray voltage is extremely uncommon. Members of the public should remain a safe distance from the turbines, especially during high winds, and observe safety signage and barriers at all times.
Thermal
District energy schemes and industrial heat and power clusters generate energy from a centralised energy centre which is distributed via insulated heating pipes, either above or below ground, to our customers.
Pioneer Energy Renewables’ thermal generation sites are housed within enclosed and locked buildings or gated yards and no unauthorised access is permitted. In most instances, these sites look just like normal industrial buildings, but please heed the safety signage and barriers – it's there to keep you safe.