Utility Strike Avoidance Group
Toolbox Talk – Buried Services
Document Reference – TK3c
January 2012
BEWARE
BURIED SERVICES!
Safety Essentials
All works on and around buried services must be covered by a method statement, risk assessment with a
permit to excavate/work issued
The foreman must have carried out a pre-start risk assessment detailing all known services in the area of
work ensuring also the details have been briefed to all employees
Buried service colour identification for recent installations:
Colour
Service
Black
Electricity
Red
Electricity-some high voltage cables
Orange
Street lighting in england &wales and traffic control cables
Purple
Road lighting in scotland
Yellow
Grey/white
Gas
Telecommunications
Green
Cable tv and some telecommunications
Blue
Water
Older cables and non-utility cables may not conform to the above colour system as devised by NJUG.
Gas
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Check gas supply company plans before digging, mark all known pipes
Check for marker posts /incoming gas services / valves covers and any other clues / signs to be
referred to
Use a cable and pipe locator for tracing older metal pipes, however be aware modern pipe-work is made
of pe, hence only alternative is to hand dig in the area to locate the service
Remember gas has a flammable and explosive content, at the slightest hint of gas escape, leave the
area, do not smoke, call transco immediately
Do not drop tools onto main as it may cause cracking to pipe
Ensure all pipes are supported.
Follow gas supply company specification for back-filling
Water mains
1. Check water supply company plans before digging
2. Check for water marking posts valves covers and any other clues /signs to be referred to
3. Use a cable and pipe locator for tracing older metal pipe, however be aware modern pipe-work is made
of pe hence only alternative is to hand dig in the area to locate the service
4. Trace line of main by trial pits and mark all known pipes, burst pipe can fill an excavation quickly, if
damaged call the water supply company
5. Remember , water at high level can be fatal
6. Do not drop tools onto main, as it may cause cracking to pipe
7. Ensure all pipes are supported.
8. Follow water supply company specification for back-filling
Sewers
1
Check water supply company plans before digging
2
If a foul sewer is fractured-leave excavation and report it to the relevant water company
3
4
5
Wear PPE due to the risk of contamination from sewage, wash your hands before eating, drinking or
smoking. Read your card on weils disease given to you on your induction.if you feel unwell, report it to
your doctor immediately
If you break a storm water sewer whilst rain is falling ,vacate the excavation
Follow water supply company specification for back-filling
Electricity supply cables
1. Before digging check plans provided by the local electricity supply company, telecommunications
company and cable tv company
2. Use a cable –locating device before digging that’s in good working order and within its calibration date
ensure you are trained to use it, whenever possible use a genny.
3. Treat all cables as live, do not accept verbal assurances
4. Hand –dig trial holes to expose cables, look for marker tap or tiles above cables and continue using the
cable locator to establish exact location
5. When exposed, protect cables from damage and support them
6. If the cable is accidentally damaged keep all persons clear until the electric company have inspected it
7. All damages must be reported immediately
8. Before back filling, ensure marker tape and tiles are replaced
9. Follow relevant supply company specification for back-filling
10. Do not use
power tools or excavators to break out live cables that are cast within concrete.inform
your supervisor and the supply company immediately of the situation
11. Do not use
power tools or excavators within 0.5 metres of a cable
Remember
Always treat buried services with care and use the service drawings as a guide only