Best Practices for Utility Locating with NDD

Excavation is an important part of many construction, development and infrastructure projects. However, launching into an excavation unprepared is a risky approach. Accidentally striking underground utilities, also known as public utility plants (PUPs), during excavation can lead to power outages, disruptions, delays, and expensive repairs. Non-destructive digging (NDD) is safer not only for these utilities but for your workers and the surrounding environment as well.

PUP is a term for the facilities and infrastructure built for public use, including electricity cables, water pipelines, telecommunication cables, and drainage pipes. Many of these cables and pipelines are located underground in order to utilise space efficiently and protect them from the elements. Striking them can cause damage that potentially leads to electric shocks, main water breaks and disruptions to essential services.

NDD exposes underground utilities without causing any damage to them. It’s an approach that’s widely used across different industries such as mining, construction and utilities, and comes in three main forms: hydro, vacuum and air. Of these three, hydro (which uses high-pressure water) is the most common approach.

SSTC provides safe, efficient and effective non-destructive digging as one of our industrial services in Sydney. Need to dig on your own worksite without impacting the utilities? Here’s the SSTC guide to using NDD to locate underground utilities and the best practices for doing so.  

What Is PUP Underground Locating?

PUP underground locating is the process of locating and mapping underground utilities, such as water, power, gas, and communication cables, before any excavation work commences.

In Australia, each state and territory has its own regulations for excavation work that are generally consistent with national Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. Anyone undertaking excavation is required by law to identify hazards, including underground utilities, first. They then need to implement proper control measures, including locating techniques.

The first step in PUP underground locating is contacting Before You Dig Australia (BYDA), a free national service that provides information about the locations of underground utilities. BYDA  provides one singular point of contact in order to request information about underground or overhead infrastructure instead of contacting individual organisations one at a time.

Accurate locating is important. It helps prevent damage to utilities, supports planning and construction and reduces project costs and delays. There are serious consequences to neglecting the PUP locating process.

The Danger of Ignoring PUP Locating

Neglecting to find the locations of underground utilities can have several negative consequences, some of them serious enough to throw your entire project into jeopardy. The dangers of neglecting PUP locating include:

Service disruptions

Striking underground cables can cause disruptions to the power supply, affecting homes and businesses in the local community.

Emergency situations

Striking underground utilities can cause all kinds of dangerous and potentially deadly situations. Contact with a live power cable can cause electrocution, striking a gas main can cause explosions or fires, and rupturing water mains can lead to flooding and property damage.

Injuries and fatalities

Workers and bystanders at the sites of affected underground utilities are at risk of injury or death. If important utilities are critically damaged, it can also delay emergency services, making the situation more dangerous.

Project delays

If you strike an underground utility, you’ll have to put the project on hold while investigations are carried out and the extent of the damage is assessed.

Financial costs

Damaging an underground utility is certain to have financial repercussions, including potential repair costs, fines, penalties, lawsuits and increased insurance premiums. Not to mention the risk of long-term decreased revenue due to reputational damage.

Best NDD Practices for PUP Locating

The best NDD practices focus on both safety and accuracy. Here’s a brief guide to the best practices to take on board to ensure safe and precise non-destructive digging:

Multiple locating methods

There are several methods you can potentially draw on for underground PUP locating. Electromagnetic (EM) locating uses a transmitter and a receiver. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) uses radar pulses to detect both metallic and non-metallic utilities, while visually inspecting infrastructure like manholes and pits can provide vital clues to the state of the infrastructure. A detailed and comprehensive PUP locating approach can draw on all available methods for a strong and effective solution.

Verify utility locations before excavation

Hand digging (or “potholing”) is a crucial step used to confirm the locations of underground utilities before using excavation equipment. Potholing involves using non-conductive tools to create small and precise holes to verify the location of infrastructure and minimise the risk of damage. It’s best to start potholing as early as possible to avoid difficulties and hold-ups during the construction stage.

On-site markers, such as pit lids and meters, are also strong indicators of underground utilities in the area.

Document all activities

Keep detailed records of plans, markings and activities, including geotagged photos of exposed PUPs.

Moderate water pressure

Hydro excavation is the most common practice for locating PUPs, and it is the one you’re most likely to find yourself using. Use regulated water pressure to prevent damage to the utility and keep the wand moving rather than directing all the water pressure at one point. If you’re near a sensitive area, such as a stormwater drain, use a containment barrier.

Prioritise safety and compliance

Create a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) to follow and make sure you take a safety-focused approach. Use a spotter and personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hearing and eye protection.

Hire a qualified NDD professional

There are several factors to consider when it comes to safely conducting underground PUP locating. A non-destructive digging professional will take care of organising best-practice NDD so you can focus on your own duties.  

Best Practice NDD Services with SSTC

For safety-focused non-destructive digging that takes a methodical and precise approach, choose SSTC.

For SSTC, safety is paramount, and our NDD services reflect that. We follow strict protocols to make sure we complete your application in the most efficient manner possible, and our highly experienced professionals are trained in the latest NDD technologies and techniques.

SSTC have extensive experience across a range of different industries, which makes it easy for us to tailor the service to your needs. We have non-destructive digging trucks from leading manufacturer Capellotto with high-pressure jets that excavate soil without damaging underground infrastructure. Each truck is equipped with a powerful water pump and a high-pressure hose that can reach depths of up to 10 metres.

With more than 50 years of combined experience, SSTC offers a range of industrial services in Sydney, as well as all kinds of plans and permits. Whether you need traffic management, security services or an electrical spotter in Brisbane, SSTC’s approach ensures all risks are minimised from the start of your project to the end.

To find out more, call SSTC on 1300 007 782 or contact us online for a free quote.