Buried Services

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Underground services are easily damaged during excavation work. Most accidents are the result of failure to locate all services or by not taking all practicable precautions while excavating.

HAZARDS

• Struck by ejected material following explosion following contact with electrical services
• Burns from flames, molten metal or plastic following contact with electrical services
• Electric shocks following contact with line conductor
• Burns and impact injuries from fire following gas leak igniting / exloding
• Explosion causing ejected material / persons
• Drowning due to flooding excavations following water main repture
• Trapped by collapsing excavation following flooding
• Interruption of services to hopspitals and emergency services

HEALTH AND SAFETY POINTS

• Remember drilling or hammering posts into the ground can also damage the services and supply
• Obtain permit to dig and follow the Method Statement / Risk Assessment
• If gas mains are likely to be present then no smoking or naked flames are allowed within the area of excavation
• Ensure that you know what to do in an emergency and have emergency contact numbers for Electricity, Gas or Water Companies available
• Use a cable / pipe detector to locate, then mark the services on the ground using paint or waterproof marker
• Hand dig trial holes to find exact route of services
• This means using spades and shovels rather than picks and forks
• Treat all pipes and cables as live unless it is known for certain otherwise. For example if a cable has been ‘spiked’
• Do not use hand held power tools or mechanical means of excavation within 2 meters of 22.9 KV cables or 1 meter of any other service. Fit check collars on tools to ensure initial penetration is restricted
• If a gas leak is suspected, prevent entry to affected area and call the Gas Company Emergency Services
• If any service is damaged inform the relevant Electric, Communications, Gas or Water Company immediately
• Support services that are exposed to protect them from damage
• Protect gas and water pipes when moving heavy plant over them
• Back fill around pipes and cables with fine material. Backfill should be properly compacted under cast or rigid pipes, this prevents settlement causing damage at a later date

QUSTION TIME

• What should you receive a copy of, before doing any digging?
• How can cable and pipe routes be identified?
• What precautions should be taken when excavating near to a gas main?

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SAFETY REMINDER

Many accidents are caused by inadequate training and identification of services as well as not following safe digging practices. Never dig, frill or hammer posts / pins into ground unless a Permit to Dig has been obtained and the relevant Method Statement / Risk Assessment is being followed.