​New research released  by Energy Networks Association (ENA) reveals construction workers are risking their lives as nearly a third (31%) fail to check for underground electricity cables when digging on site.

• In the last five years, 354 people have suffered life changing injuries after striking a live underground electricity cable
• Construction workers identified as extreme risk with 4 out of 5 reported incidents involving a tradesperson
• Research reveals nearly a third (31%) of tradespeople do not always check for underground cables

Incidents of cable strikes have increased by 46% since the national lockdown ended
Since 2015, an average of 70 people a year are seriously injured as a result of contact with underground electricity cables. Nearly half of all cases (47%) were reported on public highways, construction sites and industrial buildings making tradespeople at extreme risk of serious injury in the workplace. 

When surveyed, 93% of construction workers and industry professionals believe they always dig safely, yet almost a third (31%) admitted to not always checking for underground electricity cables before beginning work. Despite the threat to life, the main reasons tradespeople fail to check for underground electricity cables is because they don’t believe it’s their responsibility (15%), or they don’t think they’ll dig deep enough to hit anything (24%).Underground services can be found and disturbed during street works, road works, excavations, drilling and piling, demolition and site remediation, site investigations and any other work that involves penetrating the ground. These cables can run at any depth below surface level and carry voltages ranging from 230 volts (domestic voltage) and upwards.

Worryingly, almost one in six (15%) say if they uncovered an underground electricity cable encased in concrete, they would attempt to break them out, which could put them at immediate risk of life-threatening injuries.This failure to check for underground services during these excavations has led to a 20-30% increase in incidents across the UK. These strikes to cables and pipes can lead to a significant risk to those working on the affected sites.
​
To help prevent the number of fatalities and injuries amongst tradespeople, ENA has launched a new emotive safety film, urging those working in construction to ‘Think Before You Dig’. The thought-provoking film showcases the dangers of working near underground electricity cables, following the story of a construction worker and the devastating emotional and physical impact an accident can have.

National Damage Prevention Day 2020 is coming.

Do you remember the days of meeting up in person and discussing the latest developments, trends, and advancements in working safely around utility assets? Sadly so do we ☹

Well have no fear this year on the 5th November LSBUD bring you the event online with a great line up of industry speakers and topics, with the chance for you to discuss and interact with others attending the event. So this year go online, grab yourself a tea or coffee, warm up some sausage rolls in the oven and then sit back in the comfort of your own home/office/garage/shed to join in for the day.

You can find out more details of speaker line up, agenda and how to get involved by getting a ticket here. Tickets are only £83.68 and as a special thanks for continued support LSBUD have offered USAG members a £15 discount. Use the promo code USAGMembers on the booking page to get your discount. See you all on the day (virtually)

​We are pleased to be supporting the National Safe Digging Week promoted by LinesearchBeforeUdig (LSBUD) it is an initiative aimed at educating UK consumers and workers on safe digging practices.

We encourage all USAG members and followers to participate and perform as many of the following actions as is possible to promote the safe digging message, save lives and reduce damages to vital utility infrastructure during construction and excavation works.

• Make a few social media posts during the week across any of your social media channels in support of             #nationalsafediggingweek (to make life easy for you, imagery and wording can be provided)
• Encourage key contacts to take part in the week and build up
• Put link to LSBUD’s National Safe Digging Week webpage on your website
• Put same link in email signatures
• Encourage workforce to promote via social media
• Supply LSBUD with case studies/information of businesses that have been impacted after pipes or cables were ‘hit’
• Provide a quote for the national press release promoting the week – quote to also be used in other supporting collateral
• Distribute a national press release discussing support of the movement (press release to be provided) to own media     contacts
• During build-up and afterwards, include information about the initiative in customer communications such as newsletters or requests for meter readings, driving more people to search before they dig
• Perform own activity in support of the initiative

If you have any questions, wish to provide any case studies or to receive addititional supporting resources then please contact LSBUD at enquiries@lsbud.co.uk

In a recent media release Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks highlighted a recent trend of increased damages to electricity network cables. Over the past 2 months they have seen 445 damages which represents an increase of more than 20% over the same period last year. Some of this increase is seen in damages to cables on domestic properties with construction activities such as fencing and laying new driveways driving some of this increase. In line with best practice SSEN have issued the following advice:

• Obtain up-to-date underground cable record plans.
• Be aware that underground cables can be found at any depth, even just below the surface.
• Ensure a competent person uses a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT)
• Mark the location of cables on the ground surface and dig trial holes to determine the exact position before using a mechanical excavator.
• If you find an underground cable embedded in concrete do not attempt to break it out. Contact us for specific advice.
• If you damage an underground cable, vacate the excavation immediately, call 105 and keep everyone clear.

This advice is applicable to all #uk electricity distribution network operators, read the full release here

USAG produces an Annual Report on Utility Strikes to highlight trends in asset damage throughout the UK; a concept based on international best practice. The drivers for this are to help all stakeholders improve by recognising best practice, reduce damages and delays and, most importantly, increase the safety of people working near utilities.Please find attached the following for download at the end of this message
·         letter providing more detail
·         strike data collection templates for 2019 and
·         guidance on data categories used in the reporting templates.

All data will be anonymised, and a Non-Disclosure Agreement is available upon request. 
We thank you in advance for your help; the deadline date for return of 2019 information is Friday 14th August 2020.  Your efforts to keep to this deadline are appreciated as it will enable the finalised report to be compiled and made available in the coming months for the good of the whole industry.

'Watch Out, Cables About' Energy Networks Association have issued a press release regarding the dangers of digging near underground cables. Now that there is an increase in excavation works a lockdown restrictions begin to ease it is essential that workers remember the basic safety measures to stay safe. The above document is available to download and distribute to excavations teams to remind them of basic safety procedures.

Due to the continued uncertainty surrounding the covid 19 situation the day has been postponed unti later in the year to ensure the safety of all guests. You can still purchase tickets here

The February newsletter from USAG is now available. Please take the time to read and share throughout your organisation and teams. A web version is available here and you can sign up for future news by  hitting the contact us button. 

USAG is a not for profit group established by the utility and excavation industries which provides a forum for all sectors of the industry. We promote safe working practices that reduce and prevent damages to essential underground utility services and improve health and safety outcomes for those digging near cables and pipes. 

Here at USAG  we are pleased to support the Damage Prevention Day 2020. There is always an excellent turnout from utility owners to contractors, safety managers and personnel. We all have the shared goal of reducing damages and improving safety for those carrying out excavation tasks and keeping the lights, heating, water, internet and other essential services on for the nation. 

Once again LSBUD (LinesearchbeforeUdig) will be hosting the day for the industry in 2020 and we would thoroughly recommend attending. If you have have products and services which you can promote to the utility, construction and safety sectors at their adjoining exhibition then get in touch with the LSBUD team here