Richard Broome, MD at LSBUD, the online safe digging resource, explores what the industry’s ‘virtuous circle’ is, and discusses what it means for health and safety on-site
IN the fast-paced world of construction, safety is paramount. However, one critical yet often underestimated aspect of safety on-site is the importance of safe digging. Breaking ground comes with hidden hazards that can not only negatively impact construction projects, but more importantly lives.
As the UK prepares to ramp up housebuilding projects under the new government’s initiatives, the increase in construction activity means significantly more digging taking place. And with it, the chances of someone hitting an underground asset increase, especially as time pressures start to creep in and corners may be cut.
So, there comes a greater need to ensure the work is being undertaken in a safe manner.
What’s next for onsite safety?
At its core, safe digging works best when you have as many asset owners as possible sharing their network information, and everybody taking on digging projects performing a search for underground pipes and cables. In effect, it acts like a safe digging ‘virtuous circle’, that gets stronger with collaboration, participation and data sharing.
For us, the principle is simple – the more asset owners that share their data with us, the more comprehensive our system becomes. This allows us to generate an increasingly clear picture of what underground infrastructure lies across the length and breadth of the country.
So, when a construction company or contractor places a search on our portal, we are able to offer instant, vital asset information that protects both the networks and the people doing the digging. Indeed, it allows excavation work to take place more safely and effectively, reduces the likelihood of accidental third party strikes, causes fewer interruptions, lowers repair costs, and most importantly, reduces risk of injuries or fatalities.
So, by protecting pipes and cables across the UK, those asset owners not currently registered to a central portal can see the success of its competitors and peers, as well as the impact it has on a business’ bottom line, and want to share their information. From here the process starts again, creating a virtuous circle of safety best practice.
How it impacts life on-site
Having access to reliable data direct from the asset owners themselves, translates into fewer unexpected incidents on-site. Avoiding accidental strikes not only eliminates the immediate hazards, such as electric shocks, gas leaks, or water flooding, but also prevents the cascading effects of strikes, including project delays, additional costs, and reputational damage. Fewer interruptions allows workforces to focus on completing their tasks efficiently, meeting deadlines without compromising safety.
And, when workers trust the information they’re provided, they are more likely to follow safe digging practices. This fosters a proactive safety culture, where planning and preparation become integral to the job.
Strikes can even have an impact on future projects, as they are often dependent on the previous one finishing on time. If there is a delay due to pipes or cables having been struck during excavation, someone else might pick up that contract. There are also financial consequences for construction companies to think about when an asset is struck. The pipes and cables will obviously need to be repaired, but beyond this there are indirect costs, such as traffic disruption and loss of custom to local businesses which must be considered when calculating the final bill.
So, it is in the construction industry‘s best interest to not only search for pipelines before carrying out any project, but also be vocal in encouraging utility companies to share their asset data.
In conclusion
Safety on site starts below. Working around underground assets needs care attention, the right tools and certainly the right information.
The virtuous circle of safe digging is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and shared responsibility. By working together, asset owners and the construction workforce can create a safer, more efficient industry where accidental strikes become a rarity rather than a routine risk. This is not only good health and safety practice, eliminating unnecessary risk on site and keeping workers safe, but it also protects our valuable underground infrastructure that we rely on, and keeps projects on track.
Remember, always search before you dig.
