The suits protect a worker when working in close proximity to live electricity power lines, and also from high pressure blasting hazards.
Mr Wilkinson said the design and development process took more than two years, starting in 2014, and involved working with several suppliers until finally settling on outdoor clothing company Swazi NZ to supply the personal protection equipment.
"The initiative arose from a vision to create the best possible safety equipment for our staff. The reinforced kevlar suits were tested by Northpower in the field at every stage of the development and refined to a point where we are very happy with the result," he said.
Having worked closely with Northpower to produce a suit that meets their exacting standards, Swazi NZ now offers this suit to the wider market as part of their own range of protective clothing products.
The suits are now being used by other major contracting companies in New Zealand with interest from overseas as well.
"The blast suit is one of many innovations that have come from this sector of the electricity industry in recent years, a period that has seen many contractors and customers like Transpower collaborate to introduce new technologies and to share strategies to improve safety," Mr Wilkinson said.
"We are very pleased to be part of that wider effort and for our contribution to be recognised through these awards."
Northpower chief executive Mark Gatland said he was humbled by the success of the company at the awards.
"Northpower being both a lines company and a significant provider of electricity contracting services has a strong motive to see excellence in safety achieved throughout the industry. Our staff in being so successful should be very proud for what they have achieved in recent years - their level of innovation and safety culture is outstanding," Mr Gatland said.
The STAR - Safety Thanks and Recognition - Awards are hosted by Transpower every two years to acknowledge companies and workers in the transmission industry who build, operate and maintain the national grid.
Transpower spokeswoman Rebecca Wilson said that the last year had seen substantial improvements in safety performance - injury frequency was down 40 per cent from 2014/2015 - following a major focus on reducing the level of serious injuries.
"There is a lot of great work, great initiatives happening to really drive improvements to operate safely and our service providers like Northpower are a key component to this."
She said Northpower were worthy winners of a number of awards that demonstrated innovative thinking and real culture change to ensure we can keep our people going home safe every night - and it's important we celebrate this.
