Anytime you are working on a building project, there are many things to consider, like have you got the right materials? Have you got all the correct permits?
However, one thing to add to that list is to contact Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) and contact a professional underground service locator. This can not only get your project off to the right start by helping you understand exactly what is beneath your feet but ensure that you and your crew can work in a safe, hazard free environment.
Like all things, accidents can happen. Many people don’t realise the dangers and consequences of hitting underground services. Any ground excavation be it big or small has a risk that service lines may be damaged. In the case that you didn’t hire a professional utility locator before excavation and you accidentally hit an underground utility, there are a few things you need to do.
STOP WORK AND ENSURE EVERYONE IS SAFE
If you have been unfortunate enough to cause damage to an underground utility, it’s important that you and the rest of your team stop work immediately and that everyone on site is safe and unharmed.
It’s important to understand the different risks involved in different utility breaches, e.g. hitting an electrical cable can increase the risk that someone onsite will become electrocuted, or the site will become electrically faulty. If any injuries occur, please call 000 immediately and ensure that the others on site are safe.
CONTROL ANY HAZARDS
After you have ensured everyone on site is safe, you now need to control any future hazards that may exist. Depending on the severity, you will need to erect an exclusion zone, ensuring everyone on site is at a safe distance away from the hazard. You will need to ensure that any machinery is isolated to prevent any further damage to the underground service line.
CONTACT ASSET OWNERS
Once all other risks have been mitigated, you will need to call the asset owners right away. The asset owner will be able to further identify ways to control the damage and potentially lessen the interruption to service consumers in the local region. They will also be able to guide any further response requirements.
After some time, you will be allowed back on site to continue with the work at hand. You will need to ensure a utility locator has assessed the site prior to excavation re-commencing. The locator will use numerous marking techniques often tied to coloured dots / lines on the ground, following the direction of the utility line.
Common site markings below indicate certain utilities.
- Orange -> Electricity
- Yellow -> Gas
- Blue -> Water
- White -> Communication lines
- Green -> Stormwater drains
Once a site has been marked and identified, a certified locator will be able to educate you and provide a precise and detailed map that shows exactly where underground utilities may lay, along with depth in any area.
Hitting any utility line can be a costly process, with penalties applicable and fines in the $1000’s being applied.
To avoid the risk of hitting an underground service, facing penalties, and halting progress, it’s recommended that you get in touch with STS Locating Services. We are a Dial Before You Dig certified locator and have helped 100’s of customers keep their project on track and avoid disasters. You can contact us here with any queries. We are located on the Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong and service areas Victoria wide including Ballarat, Western Melbourne and Colac/Otway regions.
