As experts in excavation safety, we at Sygma Solutions Ltd. appreciate the paramount importance of precise utility location.  Hitting a hidden utility line can have catastrophic effects, from service outages and expensive repairs to severe injury and even death. That’s why we stress the utilisation of high-quality equipment and adherence to best practices in locating buried infrastructure. Radiodetection equipment is instrumental in this task, and one needs to have proper radiodetection training.

Radiodetection equipment, such as cable and pipe locators, is used to locate and follow buried utilities, like power cables, gas pipes, water mains, and fibre optic cables. The equipment emits a signal that can be picked up by the receiver, enabling operators to identify the location and depth of the buried asset.

But mere ownership of radiodetection equipment is not sufficient. Proper training and good practice know-how are important to realise the full benefit of these devices while reducing errors.

Below are some main best practices which we would recommend for applying radiodetection equipment:

• Thorough Site Assessment: Before any excavation work begins, a comprehensive site survey is crucial. This involves reviewing existing utility plans, contacting relevant utility companies for information about their infrastructure, and visually inspecting the area for any surface indicators of buried utilities. This initial step sets the stage for accurate locating.
• Equipment Selection: The proper radiodetection equipment needs to be selected for the given job. Various utilities and ground conditions may need different frequencies and detection modes. We recommend taking into consideration the utility type to be located, the burial depth, and other subsurface structures.
• Proper Maintenance and Calibration of Equipment:  Correct calibration and maintenance are critical for the accuracy and dependability of Radiodetection equipment. We advise adhering to manufacturer recommendations for calibration and conducting regular checks to guarantee that equipment is working properly.
• Competent Operator Training: To use radiodetection equipment successfully, one needs to be properly trained and have experience. We highly recommend thorough radiodetection training courses that include instruction on the concepts of utility location, the application of the respective radiodetection equipment, and the interpretation of the signals. A properly trained operator can better recognise possible hazards and prevent accidents.
• Systematic Search Patterns: The use of systematic search patterns is essential in order to ensure comprehensive coverage of the ground. We advise the use of a grid pattern or some other structured method in order to avoid the risk of overlooking any underground utilities.
• Signal Interpretation and Verification: Radiodetection equipment signal interpretation is an experience-based job that demands attention to detail. We stress the necessity of cross-verifying the location of the utility by tracing the signal from varied angles and depths.
• Marking and Documentation: After a utility has been identified, it’s important to mark its position clearly and accurately. We suggest using industry-standard color-coded marks to label various types of utilities. Documentation of the identified utilities is also important for future reference and for sharing information with other stakeholders.

At Sygma Solutions Ltd., we are dedicated to the promotion of safe excavation methods. We feel that through the use of high-quality radiodetection equipment coupled with extensive training and a strict adherence to best practices, we can dramatically lower the risk of utility strikes and make the work environment safer for all.