Ensure Public Safety: It establishes a framework to protect the health and safety of the public and workers from the hazards associated with the supply and use of electricity.
Prevent Property Damage: The Act aims to prevent damage to property that could result from the supply and use of electricity.
Regulate the Industry: It provides the legal framework for the regulation of the electricity industry in New Zealand, including the powers and duties of electricity operators.
Regulate Electrical Workers: The Act outlines the requirements for the registration and licensing of electrical workers.
Control Electrical Products: It also regulates the safety of electrical fittings and appliances sold or exported from New Zealand.
The Act covers various aspects of the electricity sector, including:
Rights of Entry: It outlines the rights of electricity operators to access land for the purpose of maintaining or constructing electrical works.
Electrical Codes of Practice: It provides for the creation of electrical codes of practice.
Safety Requirements: The Act includes provisions for safety management systems for electricity generators and distributors.
Electrical Worker Regulation: It sets up the framework for the Electrical Workers Registration Board, which designates classes of registration and licensing for electrical workers.
It's important to note that the Electricity Act 1992 has been subject to various amendments over the years, and some of its provisions have been replaced by other legislation, such as the Electricity Industry Act 2010, which established the Electricity Authority and provided a framework for market regulation. The safety-related provisions of the Act are primarily administered by WorkSafe New Zealand.