Health and Safety

Executive

Excavation and underground services

What you need to know

What you need to do

Find out more

General electrical information

HSE and other organisations have produced guidance on electrical safety that is suitable for a wide range of
industries and technical competencies. Most of the information produced by the HSE is available for immediate
download.

What you need to know

When underground cables are damaged, people can be killed and injured by electric shock, electrical arcs
(causing an explosion), and flames. This often results in severe burns to hands, face and body, even if protective
clothing is being worn.

Damage can be caused when a cable is:

cut through by a sharp object such as the point of a tool; or

crushed by a heavy object or powerful machine.

Cables that have been previously damaged but left unreported and unrepaired can cause incidents.

The HSE booklet "Avoiding danger from underground services[72]" gives guidance on how you can manage the
risks of digging near underground cables.

The Electricity Networks Association (ENA) publication "Watch It! When digging in the vicinity of underground
electric cables also provides advice".

What you need to do

If you are digging or disturbing the earth you should take care to avoid damaging underground services.
Underground electrical cables can be particularly hazardous because they often look like pipes and it is impossible
to tell if they are live just by looking at them.

Damage to underground electrical cables can cause fatal or severe injury and the law[73] says you must take
precautions to avoid danger.

Excavation work should be properly managed to control risks, including:

Planning the work

Using cable plans

Cable locating devices

Safe digging practices

Planning the work

Most service cables belong to a Distribution Network Operator (DNO). However, some cables belong to other
organisations such as the highways authority, Ministry of Defence or Network Rail.

You should check nearby for equipment owned by the organisations listed above, and if you suspect there are
underground cables, ask them for plans to confirm their location. If underground cables are nearby you may need
to ask someone from the organisation to come and accurately locate them for you.

If you are excavating near your own cables , then someone who is experienced in underground cable detection
techniques should help you locate them using suitable equipment.

You may need to make underground cables dead for the work to proceed safely. Be aware that electricity
companies are required to give five days' notice to customers whose supply is to be disconnected.

Careful planning and risk assessments are essential before the work starts. Risk assessments should consider
how the work is to be carried out, ensuring local circumstances are taken into account.

Using cable plans

Plans or other suitable information about all buried services in the area should be obtained and reviewed before
any excavation work starts.

If the excavation work is an emergency, and plans and other information cannot be found, the work should be
carried out as though there are live buried services in the area.

Symbols on electricity cable plans may vary between utilities and advice should be sought from the issuing office.
Remember that high-voltage cables may be shown on separate plans from low-voltage cables.

Plans give only an indication of the location, and number of underground services at a particular site. It is essential
that a competent person traces cables using suitable locating devices.

Cable locating devices

Before work begins, underground cables must be located, identified and clearly marked.

The position of the cable in or near the proposed work area should be pinpointed as accurately as possible by
means of a locating device, using plans, and other information as a guide to the possible location of services and
to help interpret the signal.

Remember: Locators should be used frequently and repeatedly during the course of the work.

People who use a locator should have received thorough training in its use and limitations. Locating devices should
always be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, regularly checked and maintained in good
working order.

Safe digging practices

Excavation work should be carried out carefully and follow recognised safe digging practices.

Once a locating device has been used to determine cable positions and routes, excavation may take place, with
trial holes dug using suitable hand tools as necessary to confirm this.

Excavate alongside the service rather than directly above it. Final exposure of the service by horizontal digging is
recommended, as the force applied to hand tools can be controlled more effectively.

Insulated tools should be used when hand digging near electric cables.
Find out more
Avoiding danger from underground services[74]

Excavation work accident case studies[75]

General electrical information

There is also a priced interactive CD[76] produced by HSE that provides a lot of general advice regarding electrical
matters.

The Simple Precautions[77] and Frequently Asked Questions[78] web pages will help you to select the best guidance
on working with electricity.

Many other organisations provide information about electrical matters[79].

Information on accident statistics[80] is also available from a number of sources.

Resources
Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989[81]

Electricity at work: Safe working practices [82]

Avoiding danger from underground services[83]

See also
HSE Books[85]

Related content
ESQCR[86] incidents[87]

Construction industry[88]
Agriculture[89]

Offshore division[90]

Chemical industries[91]

Quarries[92]

RIDDOR[93]
Statistics[94]

Link URLs in this page

1. Electrical safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/index.htm
2. Overview - HSE electrical safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/hse.htm
3. How we work
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/how.htm
4. Who we are
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/who.htm
 5. Contacts
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/contacts.htm
6. Electrical injuries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/injuries.htm
7. Overview - Simple precautions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/precautions.htm
8. Work near electricity
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/nearelectric.htm
9. Excavation and underground services
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/excavations.htm
10. Overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/overhead.htm
11. Work using electrically powered equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/electricequip.htm
12. Work on electrical equipment, machinery or installations
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/withequip.htm
13. Maintaining electrical equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/safety.htm
14. Electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive.htm
15. Standards and codes of practice
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/standards.htm
16. Electrical safety FAQs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq.htm
17. Overview - Electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres FAQs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/index.htm
18. General, guidance and enforcement issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/general.htm
19. Definitions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/definitions.htm
20. Interpretation
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/interpretation.htm
21. Technical standards
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/standards.htm
22. Existing equipment issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/existing.htm
23. Imported products
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/imported.htm
24. General issues and information
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/issues.htm
25. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/lpg.htm
26. Overview - Resources
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/index.htm
27. General health and safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/general.htm
28. Inspection & testing
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/testing.htm
29. Maintenance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/maintenance.htm
30. Construction
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/construction.htm
31. Farming/forestry
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/agriculture.htm
32. Public places
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/public.htm
33. Potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/explosive.htm
34. The law
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/law.htm
35. Other workplaces
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/other.htm
36. Links
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/links.htm
37. Overview - Accident case studies
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/experience.htm
38. Overview - Overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/index.htm
39. Lorry driver suffers burns
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/lorry.htm
40. Failing to warn driver of overhead lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/farmer.htm
41. Failure to isolate power supply
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/isolate.htm
42. Erecting a lighting tower
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/under.htm
43. Scaffolding contacting overhead line
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/scaffold.htm
44. Moving tower scaffold
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/painters.htm
45. Overview - Electrical maintenance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/index.htm
46. Changing an electrode
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/electrode.htm
47. Touching live equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/touch.htm
48. Incorrectly wired appliance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/appliance.htm
49. Insulating live wires
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/insulate.htm
50. Faulty air conditioning unit
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/aircondition.htm
51. Live electrical panel
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/panel.htm
52. Supply not been properly isolated
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/isolate.htm
53. Injuries result in amputation
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/amputation.htm
54. Switchgear not isolated
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/switchgear.htm
55. Induction heat treatment machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/heart.htm
56. Poorly constructed equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/testing.htm
57. Pressure water washing machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/washingmachine.htm
58. Metal fence
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/fence.htm
59. Incorrectly wiring a machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/wiring.htm
60. Mail wrapping machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/mail.htm
61. Overview - Excavations
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/index.htm
62. Cable locator
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/locator.htm
63. Road breaker
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/roadbreaker.htm
64. Pneumatic impact mole
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/mole.htm
65. Pneumatic breaker
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/breaker.htm
66. Jackhammer
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/jackhammer.htm
67. Breaking concrete
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/concrete.htm
68. Gas pipes and electrical cables
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/digger.htm
69. Overview - Ignition of potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/index.htm
70. Removing paint in a yacht
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/paint.htm
71. Cleaning electric stirrer
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/clean.htm
72. Avoiding danger from underground services
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg47.htm
73. law
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/635/contents/made
 74. Avoiding danger from underground services
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg47.htm
75. Excavation work accident case studies
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/index.htm
76. interactive CD
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/index.htm
77. Simple Precautions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/precautions.htm
78. Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq.htm
79. other organisations provide information about electrical matters
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/links.htm
80. Information on accident statistics
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/links.htm
81. Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsr25.htm
82. Electricity at work: Safe working practices
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg85.htm
83. Avoiding danger from underground services
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg47.htm
84. More resources
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/index.htm
85. HSE Books
https://books.hse.gov.uk/
86. ESQCR
https://www.hse.gov.uk/esqcr/index.htm
87. incidents
https://www.hse.gov.uk/esqcr/index.htm
88. Construction industry
https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm
89. Agriculture
https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/index.htm
90. Offshore division
https://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/index.htm
91. Chemical industries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/chemicals/index.htm
92. Quarries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/quarries/index.htm
93. RIDDOR
https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm
94. Statistics
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm

Glossary of abbreviations/acronyms on this page

ESQCR Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations

HSE aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health.

Information in other languages