Safe Digging Practices (HSG47)

HSG47 is the HSE guidance document setting out safe digging practices to prevent damage to underground services during excavation.
The safe digging process has three stages: plan the work using service records, detect using scanning equipment, then dig carefully.
Service plans from all utility companies must be obtained and reviewed before any ground disturbance work begins.
Plans show approximate positions only — actual positions can vary by up to 500mm from the recorded location.
CAT and Genny scanning must be carried out across the full dig area in multiple directions to detect buried services.
Within 500mm of a detected or known service, only careful hand digging with appropriate tools is permitted.
Mechanical excavation may be used outside the 500mm hand-dig zone but must still proceed with care and awareness.
Vacuum excavation using suction equipment is a safe method for exposing buried services without risk of damage.
Service strikes must be reported immediately — do not attempt to repair damaged gas mains or electricity cables yourself.
The permit to dig must record the service detection results and confirm all precautions before excavation begins.

Fatal strikes	Striking a live electricity cable or gas main during excavation kills operators and nearby workers without warning.
Plans are approximate	Utility records show approximate positions — actual cables and pipes may be up to half a metre from the recorded line.
Three-stage process	Plan, detect, dig: skipping any stage removes a layer of protection that prevents the next service strike fatality.

Do

Don't

Obtain utility service plans from all providers before any ground disturbance.
Scan the full dig area with a CAT and Genny in all modes and directions.
Hand dig carefully within 500mm of any known or detected buried service.
Use insulated hand tools when digging near known electricity cable positions.
Consider vacuum excavation for safely exposing buried services without damage.
Complete the permit to dig recording all detection results before excavation starts.
Brief the excavation team on known service locations and the hand-dig zones.
Proceed cautiously with machine excavation outside the hand-dig zone.
Report any service strike immediately — do not attempt your own repair.
Support and protect exposed services to prevent damage from ground movement.

DON'T start digging without obtaining and reviewing service plans from all utilities.
DON'T skip the CAT and Genny scan — plans alone cannot confirm exact positions.
DON'T machine dig within 500mm of a known or detected buried service.
DON'T use metal tools near electricity cables — use insulated digging equipment.
DON'T dismiss vacuum excavation — it is the safest way to expose buried services.
DON'T excavate without a completed permit to dig with detection results recorded.
DON'T allow excavation workers to start without a briefing on service locations.
DON'T assume the absence of a CAT signal means no services are present below.
DON'T touch or attempt to repair a damaged service — call the utility operator.
DON'T leave exposed services unsupported in the open trench.

See also: CAT & Genny Safe Use | Working Near Electricity Cables

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