Utility Strike Group Charter Plan
1
Risk Factor
Management

Training,
capability and
competence

3
Safe
excavation


4
Use of
equipment

2


5
6
Personal
Protective
Equipment
(PPE)

Information,
records,
Inspection
and audit




7
Investigation
and learning




State to be obtained
All persons involved in the planning and management of work has been made aware of their
duties and responsibilities.
Ensure that each working gang has at least one person who has had Specific training for the use
of cable avoidance tool and (this is in addition to the NRSW module).
Procedures in place to assess the competency of employees and contractors undertaking
excavations. The assessment includes interpretation of plans, use of cable detection equipment
and adoption of safe digging techniques.
Procedures in place to ensure clear and safe excavation
Employees and contractors are aware of the procedure and are reminded of such by way of
regular briefings, tool box talks etc.
Arrangements in place to ensure that cable avoidance equipment (eg CAT and Genny) is
inspected, tested and calibrated in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Records of such are maintained.
Arrangements are in place to ensure that equipment is checked and tested daily, including over a
known service and that records are kept.
That PPE is provided that offers suitable protection to mitigate the risks identified in the risk
assessment. (e.g. Flame retardant overall when working around electrical services)
Procedures are in place to supply PPE to employees, train them in its use and monitor its
application.
Robust systems in place to ensure that accurate utility drawings are available to employees,
contractors and third parties undertaking excavations
A system is in place that ensures that inspections by supervisors, or line managers are undertaken
and recorded. Inspections include a consideration of whether employees and contractors adhere
to the established safe digging practice.
Regular and systematic audits to ensure that the control measures required to avoid utilities are
used by employees and contractors and that they remain suitable and effective.
A system in place to rectify any shortcomings or non conformity identified during audits.
Procedures in place to record and investigate damage to underground utilities.
Processes in place to share key learning from investigations.
Processes in place to routinely monitor utility damage and take action to address emerging trends
Toolkit
 Protocol For The Management of
Underground Services (TK1a)
 Training specification 1 – City and
Guilds 6156 Unit 1 (TK2a)
 Training specification 2 - EUSR
205a (TK2b)
 Skills gap analysis (TK2c)
 Example safe digging procedure
(TK3a)
 Safe Digging Guidance Card (TK3b)
 Tool Box Talk (TK3c)
 Sample calibration procedure and
record (TK4a)
 Daily inspection/Test Record
(TK4b)
 Risk Assessment pro-forma (5
steps) (TK5a)
 PPE issue register (TK5b)
 PPE Tool Box Talk (TK5c)
 PPE Guide (TK5d)
 Charter Action Plan (TK6a)
 Example of what goes in a gang
pack (TK6b)
 Skills gap analysis (TK2c)
 Site inspection form (TK6c)
 Daily Risk assessment (TK6d)
 Sample NCR system (TK6e)
 Strike investigation procedure
(TK7a)
 Strike investigation form (TK7b)
 Sample Excel Spreadsheet (TK7c)
CHARTER ACTION PLAN
1
2
3
Risk Factor
Management
Training and
competence
Safe
excavation
4
Use of
equipment
5
Personal
Protective
Equipment
(PPE)
6
Information,
records,
Inspection
and audit
7
Investigation
and learning
Action Required to Achieve Charter Standards
Evidence