Buried services exposure: energy sources and direct controls

Exposing buried services risks striking electrical, gas, water or communications assets whose state is unknown.

High-energy check

Treat every unidentified service as live and high energy. Drawings are incomplete and locators miss services.

This task's main energy sources are not calculated by this tool. Use the trigger checks below and competent-person verification.

Trigger checks

Electrical
Current, voltage, energisation, arc flash or stored electrical energy.
Pressure
Compressed gas, liquid, hydraulic, pneumatic or vacuum energy.
Chemical
Harmful, reactive, flammable, corrosive or toxic substances.

Direct controls to verify

Ticks stay on this screen only. Nothing is saved or sent.

Drawings and locator scans are completed and marked before digging.
Hand digging only within the marked service zone.
Every unidentified service is treated as live.
Exposed services are supported and protected, never used as steps.
Permit requirements for the services present are confirmed.
Stop and report immediately on striking or finding an unexpected service.

For your SPA or pre-start

State the drawings and scan results, the hand-dig zone around indicated services, the permit requirements and what to do on finding an unexpected service.

Limitations: This tool supports planning and verification only. It does not replace competent risk assessment, legal duties, employer procedures, client requirements or competent supervision.