PowerNet, electricity network management company, has entered into an agreement with Risk Mentor to jointly market its multiple award-winning digital safety platform to New Zealand’s electricity sector.
The platform was recognised as the winner of the 2022 Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA) ‘Workplace Safety Award’ and as winner of the 2023 Grand Business South Award.

The digital platform, co-designed by PowerNet and Risk Mentor over several years, utilises a tablet-based application to guide field crews and team leaders through their work processes, systematically identifying and documenting the requisite critical controls essential for effective risk management.
PowerNet Chief Executive, Jason Franklin, said the agreement marked a significant milestone in the partnership with Risk Mentor.

“Workplace health and safety is our greatest priority. Like our peers in the electricity industry, our teams work in high-risk, often remote environments where the right controls are needed to ensure the safety of our people and the public. We are therefore thrilled to now be able to offer Risk Mentor to our industry colleagues across New Zealand.

“We have been using Risk Mentor across our organisation for several years now and have been impressed by the improvements made in our safety performance, where in 2022-23 we reported a sustained 80% decrease in our Total Incidence Frequency Rate,” he said. “As an organisation, we have almost 1,500 safety obligations to adhere to. These include electrical safety regulations, international ISO standards, codes of practice, and other policies, procedures and guidelines. Operating in a highly regulated business, Risk Mentor has helped ensure we meet our safety obligations, manage critical safety risks in the field, as well as allowing us to monitor regulatory compliance.

“Using Risk Mentor has introduced an ongoing digital discipline that has streamlined, decluttered, and connected our company processes. Working with Risk Mentor, we have built institutional capability and competitive advantage by fully engaging our people, and the investment has unlocked, and is sustaining, multiple business benefits,” said Mr Franklin.

Risk Mentor New Zealand’s Managing Director, Michael Boyle said the partnership with PowerNet had enabled Risk Mentor to fully implement and continuously improve its people centric intelligent solution offerings for other New Zealand electricity industries.

“We are committed to supporting Aotearoa New Zealand’s electricity industry as it meets the challenges of electrifying the energy sector. Our solutions will provide the industry with the confidence and digital wisdom they need to improve decision making for the future – from the frontline to the boardroom,” said Mr Boyle.

The Risk Mentor platform is another example of PowerNet’s commitment to innovation for the sector. It follows PowerNet’s customer billing software, ARC, which was developed in partnership with Digital Stock and is now a commercial SaaS offering that other New Zealand Electricity Distribution Businesses (EDBs) are taking advantage of.

For New Zealand EDBs wanting more information about Risk Mentor, or to arrange a demonstration, please visit the Risk Mentor website or contact Risk Mentor New Zealand’s Managing Director Mike Boyle at mike.boyle@rmde.co.nz.