• Obtain a permit to dig before starting any machine excavation near buried services
• Brief the excavator operator on all known service locations and hand-dig zone limits
• Hand dig within 500mm of any indicated service position before using the machine
• Expose the service by hand and confirm its exact position before machine work resumes
• Keep service plans, CAT results, and the permit available at the point of work
• Use a flat-edged bucket for machine work near services — not teeth or rippers
• Position a banksman to guide the operator where visibility of the dig face is limited
• Brief the team on emergency procedures for gas, electricity, and water strikes
• Mark exposed services clearly and protect them before continuing machine excavation
• Report any contact with a service immediately, even if no visible damage is apparent

• DON'T machine dig within 500mm of an indicated service without hand exposing it first
• DON'T use toothed buckets, breakers, or rippers in the proximity zone of buried services
• DON'T assume the service is exactly where the plan shows — positions can be inaccurate
• DON'T continue machine excavation if the operator cannot see the dig face clearly
• DON'T dig without a permit to dig and operator briefing on service locations
• DON'T ignore the CAT and Genny survey results — they indicate probable service routes
• DON'T allow machine excavation to resume before hand-exposed services are marked and protected
• DON'T underestimate fibre optic cables — they are thin, hard to detect, and costly to repair
• DON'T dismiss minor contact with a service — report it for inspection by the utility owner
• DON'T forget that services change direction and depth — hand dig at bends and junctions too

See also: Safe Digging Practices (HSG47) | Permit to Dig Process