UNDERGROUND SERVICES TOOLBOX TALK
The actual position of buried services may differ from drawings.
Verification of buried electrical, gas, water, process and communication services before excavation.
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Toolbox Topic
UNDERGROUND SERVICES TOOLBOX TALK
Duration
8–10 minutes
Date
Site / Area
Supervisor
Company
Participants
Document No
OBJECTIVE
Prevent damage to buried electrical, gas, water, process and communication services during excavation, drilling, breaking and ground penetration.
WHY IT MATTERS
Old drawings and undocumented modifications can make actual service locations different from records.
Striking electrical or hydrocarbon services can cause fatal injury, fire, explosion and major plant disruption.
Safe identification requires drawings, detection, marking and controlled excavation rather than reliance on one method.
REALISTIC SITE SCENARIO
A crew began mechanical excavation where the available drawing showed no buried service.
An old electrical cable was struck approximately half a metre below ground.
A permit, utility scan and hand-dug trial pit would have identified the cable.
REMEMBER
Never assume the ground is clear; verify it before penetration.
KEY HAZARDS
Mechanical equipment striking live electrical cables.
Damage to gas or hydrocarbon lines.
Uncontrolled release from pressurised water or process lines.
Damage to communication or control cables.
Incorrect or outdated underground drawings.
Incorrect use of locating equipment.
Mechanical excavation too close to identified services.
Loss of surface markings during ongoing site activities.
CONTROLS
Review current utility drawings and excavation permits.
Have the area scanned by a competent person using suitable detection equipment.
Mark identified service routes clearly on the ground.
Use trial pits or controlled hand excavation in uncertain areas.
Maintain the site's required safe distance for mechanical excavation.
Prepare emergency response for nearby gas or process services.
Support and mechanically protect exposed services.
Repeat scanning as excavation depth progresses where necessary.
Stop work when drawings and field findings do not agree.
Record newly discovered services after completion.
SUPERVISOR MESSAGE
Team, a clear drawing does not prove clear ground. No excavator will start until scanning, marking and controlled verification have been completed.
TEAM QUESTIONS
Do we have current utility drawings?
Who scanned the area?
Are detected services marked?
When may mechanical excavation begin?
What do we do if drawings and field conditions differ?
How will nearby services be isolated in an emergency?
FIELD VERIFICATION
Excavation permit available
Drawings reviewed
Area scanned
Services marked
Trial pit assessed
Safe distance defined
Operator briefed
Emergency plan ready
Field discrepancy checked
Crew informed
ATTENDANCE AND APPROVAL
Project / Site
Date
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Supervisor Signature
HSE Approval
SERNEM HSE Resource – Permit conditions, risk assessments and site procedures take priority.