Damage causation and prevention

“MY RIGHT HAND MAN ON SITE” DEAN PEDRICK – SITE MANAGER

Damage Causation

Causes of service damage are quite simple to identify, and will likely include:
•   Damage to services that were not identified on client, service provider, local authority provided drawings and information.
•   Poor provision or no warning tape or sand over the service.
•   No, or improper use of Cable Avoidance Tools, or use by untrained and unauthorised personnel.
•   Shallow depth of service installation.
•   Excavator operators wilfully digging within 500mm. of a known buried service.
•   Incorrect hand-digging around buried services.
•   Improper level of compliance and respect to the Permit to Dig.
•   Out of sequence service installation causing digging down onto previously installed buried services.

Damage prevention

Companies should allow for the following preventative control measures, including:

· Compliance with HS(G) 47: Avoiding Danger from Underground Services

· Compliance with the OPERC document: Working Near Underground Services

· SMSTS training for managers.

· SSSTS training for supervisors.

· Excavation training; for managers. Supervisors, and personnel carrying out the work.

· Purchase/hire of Cable Avoidance Tool equipment is essential as buried service surveys cannot be done without them.

· Cable Avoidance Tool training: for those involved in excavation work.

· NRSWA Supervisor training; for those managing s278 works.

· NRSWA Operative training; for those carrying out s.278 works.

· Purchase of anti-flash overalls and gloves; protection for those working around buried services.

· Purchase and placement of service warning sand; necessary to alert those carrying out future works.

· Purchase and placement of service warning tape; necessary to alert those carrying out future works.