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Title / Carry out tree work in the insulated tool zone around power lines
Level / 4 / Credits / 5
Purpose / This unit standard is for utility arborists undertaking tree work inside the insulated tool zone near power lines.
People credited with this unit standard are able to prepare to carry out tree work in the insulated tool zone around power lines, and carry out work in the insulated tool zone under a work permit.
Classification / Electricity Supply > Electricity Supply - Distribution Networks
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and safety prerequisites / Unit 28494,Carryout vegetation and tree work in the vicinity of power lines and underground power cables; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Explanatory notes
1This unit standard is intended for, but not restricted to, workplace assessment.
2Safety of personnel must be a priority throughout the assessment. If the safety requirements are not met the assessment must stopand the candidate will be assessed as not yet competent.
3Performance and work practices in relation to the outcome statements and evidence requirements must comply with all current legislation, especially the Electricity Act 1992, and any regulations and codes of practice recognised under that statute; and the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. Electricity supply industry codes of practice and documented industry procedures include the current version of the Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI) (Wellington: Electricity Engineers’ Association). A full list of current legislation and industry codes is available from the Infrastructure ITO, PO Box 1245, Hamilton 3240.
4The phrase in accordance with industry requirements is implicit in all outcome statements and evidence requirements in this unit standard.
5Industry requirementsinclude all asset owner requirements; manufacturers’ specifications; and enterprise requirements which cover the documented workplace policies, procedures, specifications, business, and quality management requirements relevant to the workplace in which assessment is carried out.
6This unit standard includes vegetation control work and procedures which must be carried out in accordance with the following Codes of Practice and Guide –
Approved Code of Practicefor Safety and Health in Tree Work – Part 1:Arboriculture;
Approved Code of Practice for Safety and Health in Tree Work – Part 2:Maintenance of Trees Around Power Lines;
Approved Code of Practice for Power-Operated Elevating Work Platforms;
Guide for Safety with Underground Services;
EEA Guide for Safety and Health in Tree Work around Power Lines
These codes and guide are available from regional offices of the Department of Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH), and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
BS 3998:1989Recommendations for Tree work is available from Standards New Zealand, Private Bag 2439, Wellington 6140–
Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management, 2012 available from the NewZealand Transport Agency–
7Company procedures are written plans detailing how the company will meet the requirements of the health and safety legislation.
8Assessment of practical skills against the outcomes in this standard requires three practical observations from three different workplace activities, one of which may be conducted in a simulated electricity supply environment.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Prepare to carry out tree work in the insulated tool zone around power lines.
Evidence requirements
1.1Close tree work terms are explained in terms of their relevance to line trimming tasks.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – minimum approach distance (MAD)for utility arborist and ordinary persons, insulated tools, insulated elevated work platform (EWP), work permits, tool insulation distance, approved work procedure.
1.2Paperwork is completed and checked by the contractor and either the network owner, the network operator, or the asset manager.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – tail gate sheets, close approach permits, work and time sheets, maintenance checklists, procedure forms.
1.3Network operator requirements are met.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – written procedure approved by network operator, circuit and voltage confirmation, work authority taken out, close approach permit for EWP, earthing of EWP.
1.4Hazards are identified and recorded according to company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – tailgate sheets, equipment and machinery checklists, crew briefings and task allocation, work plan and strategies.
1.5Hazards involved in the work are controlled according to company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – hazards involved with operating EWP, working near electricity supply lines, step and touch potential, ground work, traffic and pedestrian control and exclusion from work zone, weather conditions.
Outcome 2
Carry out tree work in the insulated tool zone under a work permit.
Evidence requirements
2.1Network is logged onto and network operator is advised of work details prior to commencement.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – network operator advised of contractor, work commencement date and time, location, feeder being worked on, work authority taken out for high-voltage lines, estimated duration of work;
evidence of two required.
2.2Insulated tools are selected according to codes of practice and company procedures.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – hydraulic pole pruner, hydraulic chainsaw, non-hydraulic tools;
evidence of two required
2.3Insulated tools and equipment are checked for safe operation.
Rangefibreglass – cracks, scores, scratches, gloss;
metal – security of fixtures, visible damage.
2.4Insulated tools and equipment are cleaned according to manufacturers’ instructions, codes of practice, and company procedures.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – silicone cloth, citrus cleaner, non-abrasive cleaners.
2.5Insulated tools and equipment are tested according to manufacturers’ instructions, codes of practice, and company procedures.
2.6Completed tree work meets the site specifications, company procedures, and code of practice requirements.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – target branches accessed without compromising MAD, safety observer in position, optimum cutting and removal technique chosen, size of cuttings in accordance with distance between conductors, MAD maintained at all times.
2.7Job is finished according to site specifications and company procedures.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – site cleaned up, network operator notified job complete, work authority returned to network operator, insulated tools cleaned and stored correctly.
Planned review date / 31 December 2019Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 19 November 2010 / 31 December 2019
Review / 2 / 20 November 2014 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0120
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Infrastructure Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101813 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018