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Toolbox Talk: Existing services

Existing services covers every service that is present on site. This includes underground or overhead services. This Toolbox Talk steps you through working with existing services safely.

Introduction

Existing services covers every service that is present on site. This includes underground or overhead services such as:

  • Electrical supply (overhead and underground)
  • Gas
  • Water (fresh, waste, and storm) NB: Old cement pipes may contain asbestos
  • Cables and lines
  • Telecommunications.

If you hit an existing service, serious injury or illness may occur - it could even be fatal. It may also cause an explosion or fire.

An interruption in service can also cause damage to the site and networks, leading to delays to the project you’re working on.

In an emergency you should:

  • Get back at least 10 metres - treat the line or cable as live
  • If someone is seriously hurt, or you hit or smell gas, then call the emergency services on 111 immediately
  • Evacuate the immediate area
  • If you're in a machine, stay put
  • Don't try to fix the line or cover it up
  • Call the service provider immediately.

IDENTIFY buried and overhead services

Before work begins on a site, you must identify any existing services that could be present. If you are removing or demolishing a building, ensure all services are disconnected before work begins.

Buried services

Any digging on site - not just excavations – needs to be carefully planned to avoid contact with any underground or buried services. Expect to find services at any depth!

As a first step - check with the service owners and ask for plans or reference maps of the buried services on the site. These may include electricity, water, data, or gas lines.

You may also want to check the plans even if you're not planning any digging on site. Not all services are marked on maps, so identification and care are important. You can also use electronic location devices to help identify where services may be.

As a final step, to confirm exactly where the services are, you should hand dig where possible to expose the exact location of cables and pipes - as sometimes they are at different depths to where the plans may suggest. (Pro Tip-Consider using Hydro-vac services to safely excavate).

Overhead services

If you are planning on working near overhead cables or lines, then follow safe working practices.

Check where the live lines are and how close they are to the site and ground (note you should not work within four metres of an overhead line or power pole). If you do need to work close, you'll need to get a Close Approach Consent from the relevant electricity supplier.

Ask yourself: Will we have high vehicle loads coming through this site? And if so, could they come into contact with the lines?

Ensure minimum safe distances are being used near the lines.

ASSESS the risk on the site plan

Once you've worked out where the services are located on site - buried and/or overhead - it's important to mark them properly on the site plan.

Mark out where they are in relation to the work you are doing - in some cases there may be no or very low risk if you're working well away from services.

MANAGE and share the plan with everyone on site

Whenever you are working closely to lines or cables, you may choose to temporarily disconnect electricity or gas supplies while some work is being carried out.

Remember, if you're digging within five metres of a power pole or working within four metres of an overhead line you will need a 'Close Approach’ consent before you start.

When dealing with existing services it is important that everyone on site, no matter if they're working for different companies or contractors, work together safely. Everyone should have access to the updated site plan where the existing services are clearly marked and the controls in place (whether they include disconnection or not) are set out.

If the plan changes everyone on site must be consulted and then advised of any changes.

Q and A

Ask your team:

  • To point out the buried services and overhead services on the site you're working on now.
  • For information about how they're being managed and how that information is shared among all contractors and workers on site.

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