21%
Hand Digging
27%
Trenching
14%
Minor Earthworks/Filling
For every beforeUdig enquiry lodged, we ask the excavator to inform our utility-owner members what type of work they are doing. Two thirds of excavations in NZ are for these activities.
Almost half (48%) of activities may bring the worker into very close proximity of cables and pipes. Always do your beforeUdig to know what's below prior to starting work.
Over the last year, it is estimated that more than 35000 homeowners have carried out major digging on their own property without first checking what is underground.
Don't dig blind, use beforeUdig to get information on cables and pipes in your worksite
Studies show that the average 'direct' cost to repair each utility strike in the road is around $6k* and the average 'indirect cost' to society of each strike in the road is around $55k.
The consequential losses from each strike can range from businesses not being able to trade, lost time from employees unable to work, people being stuck in traffic due to road closures, and physical property damage. As well as the cost to repair the damaged cable or pipe, there may be other fees such as for traffic management, temporary repairs to utility supplies, plant hire, sub contractors, landscaping or road reinstatement.
There is a staggering volume of excavations being planned and taking place all around the country each year.
520 is last 12 months figure an increase of 5% over last year.
Using @beforeUdignz to establish what is under the ground is a crucial first step in your safe working procedures to ensure that you prevent damage and stay safe
Whether you are digging up at home to install fencing, decking or planting or out on a busy civil construction work site, it's important to follow some basic safety rules to avoid damage to yourself, your property, and surrounding utilities. In New Zealand, November is designated as #SafeDiggingMonth, so there's no better time to brush up on the 5 Golden Rules.
Just because there are no cables and pipes on your utility plans and maps this does not mean there is nothing there. This is particularly true of private property where service cables and pipes are unlikely to be shown. Always assume there is a buried cable or pipe and employ a utility locator to scan your work site first to detect if there is anything down below.