SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

LOCATION OF UNDERGROUND SERVICES

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1.
Refer to the DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG user kit (available from www.1100.com.au) or ring 1100 prior to commencement of any excavation work in any location.
2.
Negligent damage to infrastructure can result in criminal prosecution and significant damages claims, and the possibility of death or serious injury to workers.
3.
Refer to SWP289 Working on Roads for information on safety precautions to be followed when working on roadways or areas where traffic of any type may be present.
Task sequence
1. Obtaining
information regarding
location of
underground services
2. Contacting owners
of services and utilities

Identified hazards in task

Damage to underground
structures and services

3. Verification of
location details

Damage to underground
structures and services

4. Excavation
practices for location
of underground
services

Vacuum extraction

Damage to underground
structures and services

Hand excavation

Key processes to be followed

The existence (or absence) and location of underground services (such as water,
gas, electricity, Telecommunications, etc) must be carried out before any
excavation or penetration of the site commences. Information required before
work starts should include the types, numbers and depths of the services.
Contact details of infrastructure owners relating to an enquiry will be provided on
the Enquiry Confirmation Sheet when an enquiry is submitted. Plans of locations
of infrastructure must be obtained from ALL owners prior to work commencing.
In cases where further information is required, the infrastructure owner should be
contacted using the contact details provided on the Enquiry Confirmation Sheet.
IMPORTANT: Not all underground infrastructure owners are members of Dial
Before You Dig, and care must still be exercised when excavating.
The actual location of services (including depth) must be ascertained accurately
before excavation commences.
Types of locating practices which can be utilised include Electronic Line Tracing,
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) location, and potholing to verify actual locations.
Non-destructive excavation methods must be used when verifying the location and
depth of services. Potholes should be deep enough to ensure that any services in
the vicinity of the proposed excavation are located prior to commencement.
Vacuum extraction is the preferred method of non-destructive potholing.
A combination of compressed air and/or high pressure water is used to break up
the ground and a vacuum system is used to remove the spoil from the hole to allow
the underground service to be exposed and identified. The type and depth of all
identified services should be accurately recorded on plans when located.
The use of hand tools such as shovels to locate underground services should only
be used where the service is not susceptible to damage from the cutting edge of the
tool. The use of bars to break up or loosen should be carried out with extreme
caution to avoid damage to services. Extreme caution must be exercised in the
vicinity of electrical cables, and alternative methods utilised where possible.
Contact emergency services immediately on 000 if situation is life threatening.

SWP587 www.assaohs.com.au

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Precautions / PPE required

Contact Dial Before You Dig prior to
commencement of work. (Note: this is
generally a free Australia-wide service
for all underground services).
Keep Enquiry Confirmation Sheets in a
safe place as a record of enquiry.
Work must not proceed until contact
has been made by the relevant owner of
any infrastructure in the work area.
Use an accredited underground locator
to locate other suspected services.
Refer to and follow safe digging codes
of practice provided by infrastructure
owners when locating services.
Locations of identified underground
obstructions should be clearly marked
on plans and on the surface to enable
verification by potholing.
Ensure that area where work is to be
carried out is suitably barricaded and
signed to prevent unauthorised entry
and to protect workers from traffic.
Vacuum extraction is to be carried out
by competent persons only.
Any damage to infrastructure must
be reported immediately to the
owner, and the site secured to allow
repairs prior to backfilling.

ASSA 2011

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