Utility Works Safety Awareness

Utility works involve installing, repairing, and maintaining gas, water, electricity, and telecoms infrastructure.
Working on or near live services carries extreme risk — gas explosions, electrocution, and flooding can occur instantly.
The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 requires competent persons with valid NRSWA qualifications for utility works.
Service plans must be obtained from all utility companies and checked on site before any excavation begins.
Trial holes using hand digging must be used to confirm the exact position of services before machine excavation.
Reinstatement of road surfaces after utility works must comply with the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways.
Multi-utility sites require careful coordination to prevent one contractor damaging another utility's services.
Personal gas monitors must be worn when working on or near gas mains to detect leaks and escapes.
Live gas working and live electrical working require specialist procedures, training, and authorisation.
Public safety is paramount — barriers, signing, and pedestrian management protect the public around utility works.

Prevent service strikes	Hitting a live gas main or electrical cable during utility works causes explosions and electrocution with fatal consequences.
Protect the public	Utility works take place in public streets — proper barriers, signing, and traffic management protect pedestrians and road users.
Legal compliance	NRSWA requires competent, qualified operatives and proper reinstatement — non-compliance leads to penalties and legal action.

Do

Don't

Obtain and review service plans from all utility companies before starting any work.
Scan with a CAT and Genny and dig trial holes to confirm service positions.
Hold valid NRSWA competency cards for the specific utility work being carried out.
Wear a personal gas monitor when working on or near gas infrastructure.
Install barriers, signs, and pedestrian protection before opening any excavation in the street.
Follow the specific safe working procedures for each utility type being worked on.
Coordinate with other utility contractors working in the same street or area.
Reinstate road surfaces to the specification required by the highway authority.
Report any accidental damage to services immediately using the emergency procedures.
Ensure all backfill and reinstatement materials meet the required specification.

DON'T start utility works without obtaining and reviewing all available service plans.
DON'T machine dig near services — hand dig within 500mm of any known utility.
DON'T carry out utility work without the required NRSWA competency qualifications.
DON'T work on gas infrastructure without a calibrated personal gas monitor.
DON'T leave excavations in the street unguarded or without proper signing and barriers.
DON'T attempt live gas or live electrical work without specialist training and authorisation.
DON'T damage other utilities — coordinate carefully on multi-utility work sites.
DON'T use incorrect materials for reinstatement — it leads to road surface failure.
DON'T delay reporting a service strike — gas leaks and cable damage escalate rapidly.
DON'T backfill around services without checking correct surround material is used.

See also: Gas Main Installation Safety | Water Main Installation Safety

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