In Too Deep - Avoiding Buried Services Campaign 2017
To raise awareness of the hazards of underground services we are launching the “In Too Deep” campaign. We expect our partners to take part and launch the campaign in week commencing Monday 3rd April 2017 with a safety briefing. The briefing includes a film based on a real event and is aimed at all project employees and delivery partners.
The campaign will continue through a 3 month period broken down into the following topic areas:
Month 1 – Design and planning of works
Month 2 – Locating and identifying buried services
Month 3 – Safe excavation including permits, controls, monitoring and review
Throughout the campaign we aim to provide best practice, share knowledge and lessons learned from real life case studies and finally we will review Raising the Bar 9 – Underground Service Avoidance.
It is important that we examine how we design and plan our work and the procedures we have in place to prevent service strikes when we excavate. It is recognised that people and what influences them to behave in certain ways on site are also key to controlling risks. This campaign is designed to get people to stop and look at what they do and how they do it before just going ahead to “get the job done”.
Most importantly we need to speak with those who do the work as they will have valuable ideas to contribute in making working around services safer.
Please send any questions and your feedback sheets to the Services Champion Liz Brathwaite at [email protected]
Now to start please download the Campaign Guide which details what is available and how to use it;
To raise awareness of the hazards of underground services we are launching the “In Too Deep” campaign. We expect our partners to take part and launch the campaign in week commencing Monday 3rd April 2017 with a safety briefing. The briefing includes a film based on a real event and is aimed at all project employees and delivery partners.
The campaign will continue through a 3 month period broken down into the following topic areas:
Month 1 – Design and planning of works
Month 2 – Locating and identifying buried services
Month 3 – Safe excavation including permits, controls, monitoring and review
Throughout the campaign we aim to provide best practice, share knowledge and lessons learned from real life case studies and finally we will review Raising the Bar 9 – Underground Service Avoidance.
It is important that we examine how we design and plan our work and the procedures we have in place to prevent service strikes when we excavate. It is recognised that people and what influences them to behave in certain ways on site are also key to controlling risks. This campaign is designed to get people to stop and look at what they do and how they do it before just going ahead to “get the job done”.
Most importantly we need to speak with those who do the work as they will have valuable ideas to contribute in making working around services safer.
Please send any questions and your feedback sheets to the Services Champion Liz Brathwaite at [email protected]
Now to start please download the Campaign Guide which details what is available and how to use it;
RESOURCES
1. Campaign Guide (Please use Firefox on HE computers)
1. Campaign Guide (Please use Firefox on HE computers)
| campaign_guide_2017.pdf |
MONTH THREE, JUNE 2017 - MONITOR & REVIEW
As we move into month 3 of the avoidance of buried services campaign our focus is on safe excavation and monitoring and review systems. Examples of permits, methods of excavation and associated control measures are all useful resources included.
Gathering of Best Practice:
We would like to encourage supply chain partners to send in best practice ideas so that this can be shared across the community. And to start the ball rolling Highways England have adopted the USAG (Utility Services Avoidance Group) checklist as the best practice approach for ALL investigations of service strikes.
Other successful ideas include:
Web-based Survey
A web based survey will be launched during the first week of month 3 to give everyone to give feedback and also to facilitate the sharing of good practice.
Here is the survey link, we really want your feedback!
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M2LY7VW
As we move into month 3 of the avoidance of buried services campaign our focus is on safe excavation and monitoring and review systems. Examples of permits, methods of excavation and associated control measures are all useful resources included.
Gathering of Best Practice:
We would like to encourage supply chain partners to send in best practice ideas so that this can be shared across the community. And to start the ball rolling Highways England have adopted the USAG (Utility Services Avoidance Group) checklist as the best practice approach for ALL investigations of service strikes.
Other successful ideas include:
- the use of CATs with data logging capability
- closing permits only when site drawings have been updated to include cable diversions
- use of LSBUD (line search before you dig)
- safe excavation methods including the use of vacuum excavation
Web-based Survey
A web based survey will be launched during the first week of month 3 to give everyone to give feedback and also to facilitate the sharing of good practice.
Here is the survey link, we really want your feedback!
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M2LY7VW
Raising the Bar Review
A review of the Raising the Bar document will be carried out taking into account all the best practice and feedback received throughout the campaign. Please take the opportunity to play a part in this process. Here is the revised guidance, please send your comments to [email protected]
A review of the Raising the Bar document will be carried out taking into account all the best practice and feedback received throughout the campaign. Please take the opportunity to play a part in this process. Here is the revised guidance, please send your comments to [email protected]
| rtb_service_avoidance_revised.docx |
Resources
USAG Service Strike Investigation Checklist
USAG Service Strike Investigation Checklist
| usag_checklist.docx |
Why use vacuum excavation information sheet
| why_use_vacuum_excavation.pdf |
NJUG Case Study 72 - Avoiding Service Strikes In Streetworks 1
| case-study-72-morrison-utility-services-raising-the-bar-in-avoiding-underground-strikes___copy.pdf |
NJUG Case Study 78 - Avoiding Service Strikes In Streetworks 2
| case-study-78-morrison-utility-services-2014-avoid-damage-to-underground-assets-award-winner___copy.pdf |
NJUG Case Study 92 - Linesearch Before You Dig
| case-study-92-avoid-damage-to-underground-assets-final_copy.pdf |
Near Miss - Utility Plant Protection
| hs_info_-_utility_plant_protection_-_underground_pipeline__non___skanska_.pdf |
Resources Submitted
Here is a selection of resources received following our request;
Video Of A Real Service Strike
Here is a selection of resources received following our request;
Video Of A Real Service Strike
| video_1_-_cctv_of_cable_strike_incident.avi |
A21 CableDetection Good Practice
| a21_cable_detection_good_practice.pdf |
Kier - Handy reference guide for identifying buried services
| kier_your_service_avoidance_quick_reference_guide.pdf |
A14 Project - The team has developed methods to protect areas where there is known services, see diagrams below;
| service_corridors_v3.png |
| service_crossings_v3.png |
ALERT - Trench Collapse Fatality Nov 2018
| skanska_trench_collapse_fatality_nov_2018.pdf |
MONTH TWO, MAY 2017 - LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING BURIED SERVICES
As we move into the second month of our campaign to help raise awareness of the risks associated with working near underground services we are going to focus on the accurate location and identification of buried services. Topics covered include:
- Area 10 study relating to the use of CAT and Gennys with data loggers fitted. This has resulted in a considerable reduction in service strikes.
- A14 study regarding cable diversions and how the Permit to Dig system has been amended to increase safety. When the diversion work is complete the Permit is left open until the site drawings are updated, and only when this has been completed can the Permit be closed.
- Balfour Beatty study relating to the use of excavator mounted cable location devices.
- Balfour Beatty have also provided a presentation on the correct use of CATs. Please note this may need to be amended where contractors are using a different model but it forms a useful basis for refresher training for authorised staff.
To assist with influencing human behaviours there are more tool box talks, Safety Alerts and presentations to deliver, including one on Statutory Undertakers who can pose specific risks on site.
It is critical that ALL staff breaking ground are clear about the process to be followed and have been trained. Mistakes can be made due to lack of refresher training, assumptions made about permits/drawings/information, there might be time pressures – there can be many factors affecting decisions made out there on site. The model below illustrates how behaviour is pivotal to accident causation:
As we move into the second month of our campaign to help raise awareness of the risks associated with working near underground services we are going to focus on the accurate location and identification of buried services. Topics covered include:
- The appointment of competent and adequately trained persons
- Selection and provision of equipment and tools
- Permits to Dig or Break Ground
- Human Behaviours on Site
- Area 10 study relating to the use of CAT and Gennys with data loggers fitted. This has resulted in a considerable reduction in service strikes.
- A14 study regarding cable diversions and how the Permit to Dig system has been amended to increase safety. When the diversion work is complete the Permit is left open until the site drawings are updated, and only when this has been completed can the Permit be closed.
- Balfour Beatty study relating to the use of excavator mounted cable location devices.
- Balfour Beatty have also provided a presentation on the correct use of CATs. Please note this may need to be amended where contractors are using a different model but it forms a useful basis for refresher training for authorised staff.
To assist with influencing human behaviours there are more tool box talks, Safety Alerts and presentations to deliver, including one on Statutory Undertakers who can pose specific risks on site.
It is critical that ALL staff breaking ground are clear about the process to be followed and have been trained. Mistakes can be made due to lack of refresher training, assumptions made about permits/drawings/information, there might be time pressures – there can be many factors affecting decisions made out there on site. The model below illustrates how behaviour is pivotal to accident causation:
We need to make sure that we are supporting supervisors in their tasks by providing clear information and data to them, think about running some briefings on the Permit to Dig system in operation on your project, ask staff undertaking excavation work how they think systems can be improved to increase safety. Do they know:
- Who the appointed underground services co-ordinator is?
- Are we happy that the co-ordinator is competent, experienced and trained?
- Is the co-ordinator aware of all of their duties?
- Do the trade contractors know who the co-ordinator is and the procedure for works being authorised?
An example of an underground services co-ordinator’s appointment letter is uploaded to the website which can be used as a guide.
And the CITB GD12 Permit to Dig Template is included as an example.
Please feedback on how useful you are finding this campaign by emailing Liz Brathwaite, [email protected]
- Who the appointed underground services co-ordinator is?
- Are we happy that the co-ordinator is competent, experienced and trained?
- Is the co-ordinator aware of all of their duties?
- Do the trade contractors know who the co-ordinator is and the procedure for works being authorised?
An example of an underground services co-ordinator’s appointment letter is uploaded to the website which can be used as a guide.
And the CITB GD12 Permit to Dig Template is included as an example.
Please feedback on how useful you are finding this campaign by emailing Liz Brathwaite, [email protected]
13 - Case Study Service Strike Incident Presentation
| case_study_service_strike_incident_-_case_study.pdf |
14 - Utilities Presentation – Useful to deliver to utilities co-ordinators & project managers
| utilities_presentation_14052015.pdf |
15 - Area 10 Case Study, major improvement in eliminating service strikes
| area_10_case_study_and_presentation.pdf |
16 - A14 Cable Diversion Case Study
| cable_diversions_case_study.pdf |
17 - Balfour Beatty Excavator Mounted Cable Location Device Case Study
| bb_case_study_ezidig_-_excavator_mounted_cable_location___system.pdf |
18 - Training Presentations/Video;
CAT And Genny Training Briefing, Balfour Beatty
CAT And Genny Training Briefing, Balfour Beatty
| balfour_beatty_cat___genny_training_briefing.pdf |
CAT & Genny Training Video, Northern Gas Networks LINK
19 - Safety Alerts
| cable_strike_jan_2017_copy.pdf |
| alert_service_strike-cable_strike_by_ditch_clearing.pdf |
20 - Toolbox Talk, Underground Service Avoidance
| toolbox_talk_-_underground_services_avoidance.pdf |
21 - Example Letter Underground Services Coordinator
| example_of_underground_services_avoidance_coordinators_letter_of_appointment.pdf |
22 - CITB Permit to Dig
| citb_permit_to_dig.pdf |
23 - Services Encased By concrete
| services_encased_or_surrounded_by_concrete.pdf |
24 - HSG47 – Avoiding danger from underground services http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg47.htm
25 - Contractors Opportunities & Responsiblities
| contractors_opportunities_and_responsibilities.pdf |
26. Posters.
| watch_out_theres_a_cable_about_poster.pdf |
| hazards_poster.png |
MONTH ONE, APRIL 2017 - DESIGN & PLANNING
2. Underground Service Avoidance Raising The Bar Guidance (LINK)
2. Underground Service Avoidance Raising The Bar Guidance (LINK)
3. Introductory Presentation “In Too Deep” (Please use with the video 'Doug's Story') This takes a long time to download but is well worth the effort.
| campaign_introduction_presentation.pptx |
4. Video Doug's Story
| video_dougs_story_mp4.mp4 |
5. Workshop Presentation for Designers/Surveyors/Engineers/Supervisors (Use with the video Doug’s Story)
| cdm_designer_surveyor_presentation.pptx |
6. Best Practice – Designer checklist, clear and accurate drawings
| best_practice_kier_designer_check_list.pdf |
| best_practice_sample_drawing.pdf |
7. Responsibilities By Role Process Map
| responsibilities_by_role_process_map.docx |
8. Decision Map - Design & Planning
| decision_map_-_design___planning_to_avoid_services.docx |
9. Decision Map - Services In Concrete
| bpaus_services_in_concrete_best_practice.pdf |
10. VIDEO - 999 Emergency
| video_999_emergency.mp4 |
11. POSTER 1 - Introducing the campaign
| in_too_deep_introductory_poster.pdf |
12. POSTER 2 - Safe Digging
| safer_digging_poster.png |
12. USEFUL LINKS;
Link to news stories and prosecutions re: service strikes http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/newsdesk/category/latest-news/prosecutions/underground-services/
Link to mapping the underworld a project set up to improve location and recording of underground services:
http://www.mappingtheunderworld.ac.uk/index.php
Link to news stories and prosecutions re: service strikes http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/newsdesk/category/latest-news/prosecutions/underground-services/
Link to mapping the underworld a project set up to improve location and recording of underground services:
http://www.mappingtheunderworld.ac.uk/index.php