NZQA registered unit standard
26705 version 2
Page 1 of 5
Title
Carry out tree work in the insulated tool zone around power lines
Level
4
Purpose
Credits
5
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, Carry out vegetation and tree work in the vicinity of
power lines and underground power cables; or demonstrate
equivalent knowledge and skills.
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard is intended for, but not restricted to, workplace assessment.
2
Safety of personnel must be a priority throughout the assessment. If the safety
requirements are not met the assessment must stop and the candidate will be
assessed as not yet competent.
3
Performance 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.
4
The phrase in accordance with industry requirements is implicit in all outcome
statements and evidence requirements in this unit standard.
5
Industry requirements include all asset owner requirements; manufacturers’
specifications; and enterprise requirements which cover the documented workplace
Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26705 version 2
Page 2 of 5
policies, procedures, specifications, business, and quality management requirements
relevant to the workplace in which assessment is carried out.
6
This 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 Practice for 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 3998:1989 Recommendations for Tree work is available from Standards New
Zealand, Private Bag 2439, Wellington 6140 – http://www.standards.co.nz/.
Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management, 2012 available from the
New Zealand Transport Agency – http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/code-temptraffic-management/.
7
Company procedures are written plans detailing how the company will meet the
requirements of the health and safety legislation.
8
Assessment 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
1.1
Close tree work terms are explained in terms of their relevance to line trimming
tasks.
Range
1.2
includes 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.
Paperwork is completed and checked by the contractor and either the network
owner, the network operator, or the asset manager.
Range
includes but is not limited to – tail gate sheets, close approach
permits, work and time sheets, maintenance checklists, procedure
forms.
Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
1.3
Network operator requirements are met.
Range
1.4
includes 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.
Hazards are identified and recorded according to company procedures.
Range
1.5
26705 version 2
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includes but is not limited to – tailgate sheets, equipment and
machinery checklists, crew briefings and task allocation, work plan
and strategies.
Hazards involved in the work are controlled according to company procedures.
Range
includes 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
2.1
Network is logged onto and network operator is advised of work details prior to
commencement.
Range
2.2
Insulated tools are selected according to codes of practice and company
procedures.
Range
2.3
may include but is not limited to – hydraulic pole pruner, hydraulic
chainsaw, non-hydraulic tools;
evidence of two required
Insulated tools and equipment are checked for safe operation.
Range
2.4
may 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.
fibreglass – cracks, scores, scratches, gloss;
metal – security of fixtures, visible damage.
Insulated tools and equipment are cleaned according to manufacturers’
instructions, codes of practice, and company procedures.
Range
may include but is not limited to – silicone cloth, citrus cleaner,
non-abrasive cleaners.
Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26705 version 2
Page 4 of 5
2.5
Insulated tools and equipment are tested according to manufacturers’
instructions, codes of practice, and company procedures.
2.6
Completed tree work meets the site specifications, company procedures, and
code of practice requirements.
includes 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.
Range
2.7
Job is finished according to site specifications and company procedures.
includes 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.
Range
Planned review date
31 December 2019
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
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 http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
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.
Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26705 version 2
Page 5 of 5
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation
qualifications@infrastructureito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this
unit standard.
Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016