RISK – Service strike
Discuss the ground conditions and work with workers to determine the most appropriate means of positively locating existing underground services.
An excavation and trenching permit must consider:
- Services that may be present
- Safe access and egress
- Control of ground stability
- Emergency rescue arrangements
- Overhead structures
- Other work groups in the area
Once the Excavation Permit has been approved by the Permit Controller, the permit requirements, including the exact known location of all services within the excavation area, must be communicated to workers involved in the excavation works. This can be done during a pre-start meeting.
A site walk with all personnel involved in the excavation activity is recommended so people can get a visual understanding of where they will be digging in relation to the location of any known services, both in the ground or overhead. This also gives workers an opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions or highlight other risks that had not yet been considered.
Related GMRs
2.A Mark and positively locate all underground services within 5m of the ground being excavation
2.C Only enter the safe approach distance of a service if authorised by the relevant utility provider / asset owner
1.2 Physically identify the location of all overhead services and structures and implement controls to prevent damage
4.C Maintain regulated safe working distances when working near live overhead line equipment (OHLE), underground services or live electrical parts
4.A Treat all exposed electrical parts and conductors, including earthing conductors, as live until proven otherwise
Related Procedures / Forms
Excavation and Trenching Procedure