Prevent Utility Strikes!
Our Mission
The Utility Strike Avoidance Group (USAG) is a collaborative group of over 400 utility asset owners, industry groups and contractors that seek to ensure the highest standards of safety and best practice when carrying out work on the vital services for our homes and businesses. In particular it will help those carrying out work avoid disrupting supplies through accidental strikes on utilities in the ground.
Toolkit
The tools and documents in this section have been prepared by a working group made up of client, designer, contractor and utility service provider representatives from the sponsoring organisations identified below and are freely available.
USAG’s Business Plan
USAG currently operates on a voluntary basis with no direct funding other than the support offered by Member organisations and in particular those who sit on the Steering Group. Click Learn More to see USAG’s full Business Plan.
Strike Damage Reports
This report summarises the key findings of 2070 utility strikes across the UK during 2020 based on responses from 43 USAG Members (including 10 with no strikes reported).
Testimonials
“HSE’s mission is to prevent death, injury and ill health and this cannot be achieved in isolation. HSE needs support and help from leaders who are committed to promulgating a common-sense and practical approach to health and safety. We therefore commend the work of the Utilities Strike Avoidance Group (USAG) in sharing and promoting best practice across the utilities, their contractors and partners to minimize the number of underground utility strikes. HSE’s mission is to prevent death, injury and ill health and this cannot be achieved in isolation. HSE needs support and help from leaders who are committed to promulgating a common-sense and practical approach to health and safety. We therefore commend the work of the Utilities Strike Avoidance Group (USAG) in sharing and promoting best practice across the utilities, their contractors and partners to minimize the number of underground utility strikes.”
Philip White | Head of Building Safety and Construction Division
“I know how frustrating it is when road works cause unnecessary disruption and delays, or worse, when lanes are coned off with no explanation of why no work is taking place. It is not just inconvenient but expensive, costing the economy £4 billion a year. The launch of today’s charter is important as it will help to reduce delays to the travelling public, while improving standards within the industry.”
Norman Baker | Former Transport Minister