CCTV Survey and Snagging Safety

CCTV surveys are used to inspect drainage pipes, sewers, and culverts for defects and completion quality.
Survey work involves deploying camera equipment into underground pipes, often via manholes and chambers.
Manholes and chambers may be confined spaces requiring atmospheric monitoring and entry permits.
Heavy CCTV equipment including the crawler unit, cable drum, and control van need manual handling controls.
Working in or near live highways to access manholes requires traffic management under Chapter 8.
Survey operatives may be exposed to biological hazards from sewage residues in drainage systems.
Lifting heavy manhole covers manually is a leading cause of back injury among survey operatives.
Electrical safety is important — CCTV equipment uses 110V or battery power near potentially wet conditions.
Snagging inspections in buildings involve accessing unfinished areas with trip, fall, and overhead hazards.
Survey data must be recorded accurately as it forms part of the quality assurance handover records.

Manual handling	Lifting manhole covers and positioning heavy CCTV equipment causes frequent back and shoulder injuries.
Confined space risk	Manholes and chambers may contain toxic gases — entry without assessment can be fatal.
Highway safety	Accessing manholes in live roads without traffic management exposes operatives to vehicle strikes.

Do

Don't

Assess every manhole and chamber for confined space hazards before opening
Use manhole cover lifting keys or mechanical aids to reduce manual handling risk
Deploy traffic management before accessing any manhole in a live highway
Monitor the atmosphere at the manhole opening before lowering equipment
Wear appropriate PPE including gloves and eye protection for sewage exposure
Inspect CCTV equipment electrical connections for damage before deployment
Record all survey findings accurately for the project quality records
Brief the team on the planned survey route, access points, and hazards
Carry out snagging inspections on safe access routes with adequate lighting
Wash hands thoroughly after handling manhole covers or drainage equipment

DON'T enter any manhole or chamber without confined space assessment first
DON'T lift heavy manhole covers manually without mechanical aids or team lifting
DON'T work in live roads without Chapter 8 traffic management in place
DON'T lower equipment into manholes without checking atmospheric conditions
DON'T touch your face or eat before washing after handling drainage equipment
DON'T use damaged electrical cables or equipment in wet manhole environments
DON'T rush snagging inspections in incomplete buildings with unprotected edges
DON'T leave manholes open and unattended — guard them with barriers and signs
DON'T drag heavy cable drums — use a cable stand or trolley to manage them
DON'T ignore biological hazards in sewers — ensure vaccinations are up to date

See also: CCTV Drainage Survey Safety | Manholes and Chambers

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