Many accidents occur when underground services are damaged during excavation and other work involving ground penetration. Not all accidents occur immediately; some happen years after work has been carried out, perhaps when a service is damaged and it corrodes over a long period of time. In addition to the risk of personal injury, damage can be very costly and can have knock-on effects. Consider, for example, the effect on a hospital or a home kidney-dialysis patient if services are lost.

This guide outlines the dangers which can arise from work near underground services and gives advice on how to reduce the risk. It deals only with risks to health and safety and is not concerned with damage which has no attendant risk. However, the precautions needed to reduce the risk of accidents will generally reduce the risk of damage.

This edition has beeen superseded by the 2002 edition.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Application
Who Should Use This Guide
How To Use This Guide
Definitions
The Dangers
Electricity Cables
Gas Pipes
Liquid Petroleum Services Or Oil Pipelines
Water Pipes And Sewers
Telecommunication Cables
Safe Systems Of Work
Plans
Cable And Pipe Locating Devices
Safe Digging Practices
Plans
Cable And Pipe Locating Devices
Safe Digging Practice
Safe Systems Of Work For Trenchless
Methods
New Housing Developments
Installation Of New Services Near Existing
Services
Demolition Sites

Appendices:
Appendix 1: Electricity Cables
Appendix 2: Gas Pipes
Appendix 3: Water Pipes And Sewers
Appendix 4: Telecommunications Cables
Appendix 5: Legislation Relating To Underground Services
References



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