Data might not be the first thing you think of when thinking of health and safety, but it’s such a vital part of making sure that projects are planned property.

This data, in the form of utility maps and recorded locations, allows project managers and construction workers to understand the position of buried cables, as well as identify their type and how far down they are situated.

What Does a Utility Map Show Us?

As well as the positioning and identification of buried pipes and cables (electric cables, telecoms cables, gas and water mains) beneath the ground, maps also inform us of things like sewers. This should then be combined with standard geographical maps as well as topographical surveys that give us a complete picture of what we’re dealing with before any digging ever takes place.

Densely populated areas might also require the use of architectural maps or city maps to be used in combination with utility maps, so that nearby buildings and the associated underground features can be avoided.

Those with underground surveyor training are taught to find cables beneath the ground and accurately record where they are in maps. Sometimes these individuals work for utility companies while others work for private construction firms. As of yet, there isn’t industry-wide uniformity of the types of records that are kept and the processes used for making maps.

Why are Utility Maps Important?

Without utility maps, it becomes likely that underground service will be exposed during excavation works. This strike can lead to several serious industries, delays to projects, disruption of local services, as well as loss of life. Going in blind is an extremely dangerous move when it comes to digging.

While cable avoidance tools can be used in real-time to identify cables, this process should ideally be performed in combination with reviewing existing utility maps. This allows you to save time and cover all your bases.

Health and safety guidance published in the UK recommends checking for underground services prior to undertaking any groundworks. As accidents have occurred in their thousands each year (some minor but some not), there is understandable pressure on the whole industry to adhere to best practices.

Those found cutting corners and bending rules can be penalized severely if their actions lead to serious damage of property or injury of workers or the public. The Health and Safety at work Act is there to ensure the safety of the workforce and the general public.

Challenges Faced By the Industry

Operatives are only as good as the records they can reference. There is an incredibly complex network of underground cables, ranging from electric cables to fibre optics. All of this makes it really hard to carry out excavation work without hitting something.

It might be the fault of the utility company is not keeping accurate records or updating them regularly enough, or it could be the construction firm’s fault in not checking utility maps diligently in the first place. There are many moving parts when it comes to large-scale projects involving underground digging, and without good management and oversight, things can easily go wrong.

Ideally, all cables would be recorded on some kind of cloud-based centralised system that anyone can access in real-time. This would take out any of the guesswork and room of inaccurate data leading to accidents. Unfortunately, we must rely on many separate organisations and parties to adhere to the rules, with good faith that everyone is doing what they can to mitigate risk.

Important Takeaways

1. All parties should meet Health and Safety regulations (HSG47) whenever excavations are carried out. This is needed regardless of the equipment used to break ground or the depth.
2. Utility maps should be reviewed as part of project planning and due diligence. Ideally, this should happen as early as possible, such as before land is even purchased so that the findings can be factored into projects early.
3. We should perceive utility mapping as a way to reduce risk to human life, as well as commercial risk. In this sense, everyone needs to come together to encourage higher standards.
4. Utility plans should be used during the design and planning process. Project planners must understand where the existing network lies and what measures are needed to work around it.