Service Locating Before Excavation in Sydney
Why plans, scanning and careful set-out belong in every underground excavation brief.
Underground service information is rarely complete enough to justify guessing. Plans can be old, lines can move during previous work and private services may not appear in public records. Before digging or boring, identify the services that may be in or near the route.
Use the locating process required for the job and mark the findings on the ground or a site plan. Where the route is close to an identified service, the excavation method and exposure process should be agreed before plant begins.
A scan is not a substitute for judgement. Treat locating information, potholing, exclusion zones and hand exposure as parts of one safe excavation plan.
Site Checklist
- Gather available service plans
- Complete the required locating process
- Mark services and exclusion zones
- Confirm exposure and potholing points
- Brief every worker before excavation
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