Leica Detection UK Detecting and Avoiding Buring Services for

Human Error still causes the majority of utility damages 74.6% caused during excavation Limited knowledge Unconscious and conscious actions Weak behavioural practices Improved detection performance over 55% when using a signal transmitter ACTIVITY % STRIKE Uprooting by Trees 0.6% Soil Subsidence 1.5% Earthrod Pole Strikes 2.5% Boring & Drilling 2.6% Piling Works 5.2% Manual Excavation 15.1% Mechanical Excavation 59.5% Others 13% Source Singapore Power Group

Cable Strike London After

Lets look a little closer…. What is this? It’s a Tarmac cutting spade from a pneumatic jack as used in the video and the remains of an electric cable What damage can striking this cable cause to the human body?

Injuries

Does it need to be a high voltage cable….? Low voltage cables can take over 2 seconds to trip the circuit breaker and many networks are fitted with automatic resets Highly hazardous ! 415v Street Light Cable

How can we reduce the risk? Follow best practice set out in the HSG 47 guidance Carry out a risk assessment to ensure the right technology is used Consult Utility plans Use Data Logging Cable Avoidance Equipment

Safe Digging Practices (HSG47) Clearly mark with chalk, markers or paint the route of the service and mark clearly outside of the area you intend to dig Never use mechanical excavation techniques in close proximity (typically 500mm) to buried services – Hand dig to avoid smaller services Always dig trial holes to identify the actual position of a utility Never dig directly over the top of a buried service, always to the side or at an angle

Detection & Location Devices For best practice Combined use of detection tools such as cable and pipe locators, GPR and Drain Cameras enable position, survey and avoidance of Both buried metallic and non metallic services Staff must be correctly trained to use all equipment before work commences Use the detection equipment before and during excavation works

CAT & Genny Locator (CAT) picks up electrical signals (if present) from underground metallic services It converts these signals into a audio and visual response Transmitter (Genny) boosts the signal including services that is not emitting its own signal Use of the CAT & Genny together is a quick and cost effective way to locate the majority of underground services with maximum reliability Most modern locators come with GPS and Data Logging as standard to provide activity monitoring and compliance reporting

Detection Limitations Non-metallic cables and pipes Non-energised cables ie Streetlighting in daylight

Additional Detection & Location Devices Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is also another useful technology for locating metallic and non-metallic pipes such as Water, Gas and Fibre Optic cables Highly effective when used with a CAT and Genny Metal Detectors help find buried manhole covers and valve boxes

Additional Detection & Location Devices Drain Camera systems help locate and survey under ground sewer systems. Many have built-in “Sondes” so the camera can be traced with a Cable Locator to pinpoint the area of interest EziRod and Sondes help locate non metallic sewers and drains when used with a CAT and Genny