62Entry to inspect, operate or repair electrical infrastructure

62 Entry to inspect, operate or repair electrical infrastructure

(1)  An electricity officer for an electricity entity may, at any reasonable time, enter a place where the entity's electricity infrastructure is situated to inspect, operate, maintain, repair, make alterations to or replace the infrastructure.

(2)  An electricity officer for an electricity entity may, at any reasonable time, enter a place to which electricity is, or is to be, supplied by the entity –

(a) to inspect electrical installations in the place to ensure that it is safe to connect or reconnect electricity supply; or

(b) to take action to prevent or minimise an electrical hazard; or

(c) to protect property of the electricity entity in the place; or

(d) to investigate suspected theft, loss, interference with or damage to the electricity entity's property or suspected theft of electricity.

(3)  A power of entry under this section may be exercised, in an emergency, at any time.

(4)  When an electricity officer enters a place under this section, the electricity officer –

(a) may be accompanied by such assistants as the electricity officer considers necessary or appropriate; and

(b) may take any vehicles or equipment the electricity officer considers necessary or appropriate for the functions the electricity officer is to carry out in the place.

(5)  If in the opinion of an electricity officer an electrical installation is unsafe, the electricity officer may disconnect electricity supply to the place in which the installation is situated until the installation is made safe to the satisfaction of the electricity officer.