[General]

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/exploding.

·  Explosion causing ejected material/persons.

·  Drowning due to flooding excavations following water main rupture.

·  Trapped by collapsing excavation following flooding.

·  Interruption of services to hospitals 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 metres of 11Kvv cables or 1 metre 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.

몇년 전, 송도에서 근무할 때였습니다.

옆에 현장에서 터파기를 하던 중, 전기케이블을 건드렸는데… 이 사고로 인하여 1B/L 택지공사 구간이 정전되는 상황이 되었습니다. 전원 차단된 한개 B/L은 일부 건물 및 공장도 있는 상태였기에, 시공사는 큰 손해를 받았을 것으로 생각됩니다. 잠깐의 실수로 큰 결과를 낳으거죠! 다행히 백호기사는 인적피해는 없었습니다.

땅속에 무었이 있는지 알지 못하기에 공공부지에서 하는 작업은 각별한 주의가 필요합니다. 

제가 근무한 현장은 통신선을 너무 자주 끊어서 당시 KT에서 복구작업을 점점 늦쳐서 해주었죠!! ^^;;;;