Working safely near underground assets

Report any damage to underground assets to the owner.

Underground cable strikes should be reported to SA Power Networks immediately on 13 13 66.

You can request free site plans to help you locate underground pipes and cables that belong to Before You Dig Australia members, for example - SA Power Networks, ElectraNet or Australian Gas Networks. But you must physically confirm the exact location of the underground assets. Do not rely solely on these plans.

Some underground asset owners are not members of  Before You Dig Australia.

Cables are typically buried at between 450 mm and 1000 mm. Soil may have been added or removed so take care when physically locating the asset. Don’t assume you will find it at a consistent or required depth.

For homeowners – Before You Dig Australia

An accredited underground asset location company can locate buried underground assets for you.

If you plan to locate cables and pipes yourself, make sure you are:

• trained to use the equipment
• aware of the equipment’s limitations.

Location equipment must be calibrated and able to detect all types of cables and pipes. Some equipment can’t detect:

• electric cable unless there is current flowing
• non-metallic pipes or conduits unless the pipe has detectable marker tape.

Gas assets are usually laid in polyethylene (PE) pipe - yellow or black with yellow stripes. Generally, PE pipe is laid with detectable marker tape or non-detectable marker tape and a tracer wire but not always.

A pilot or trial hole should be used to confirm the exact location and depth of the asset. With care, you could use:

• insulated hand tools to dig, although these can cause damage if not used correctly
• water jetting and high-velocity air jets incorporating vacuum removal of the soil to expose buried assets – always take precautions to prevent injury as soil is ejected.

Check with SA Power Networks on 1300 650 014 or ElectraNet on 1800 243 853 before digging or water jetting near a high voltage electrical cable.

Take extreme care:

• when digging above or close to cables and pipes - it is safer and easier to excavate alongside underground assets rather than directly above them.
• if you continue to dig once you see ‘marker tape’ – these are often used to indicate where the cable or pipe is located.
• when using hand-held power tools and mechanical excavators – use a risk assessment to work out minimum safe working distances from the asset.

Where possible the electricity supply to the underground cable should be isolated before digging.

Contact SA Power Networks to apply for a network access permit and they will turn the power off until you complete your work and return the permit.

Request a network access permit online or phone SA Power Networks builders and contractors service on 1300 650 014.