INTERFERING WITH ELECTRICITY OR GAS WORKS CAN BRING INDIVIDUAL FINES OF $22K

Since 1 July 2010, anyone in NSW undertaking excavation work near gas and electricity networks has been legally required to notify Dial Before You Dig of the time and location of the work, 30 days prior to commencement.

If a network operator believes the work could damage or interfere with supply, they can request changes or prohibit the work.

Fines for interfering with electricity or gas works are $22k for individuals and $440K for corporations; and operators are able to recover costs for damage to mains and cables.

Find out more about the regulations and legislation on the NSW Legislation website at:
www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/view/in force/act+94+1995+cd+0+N
www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/view/in force/act+38+1996+cd+0+N

LOCATERS SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT UTILITY MANAGEMENT 

The Locaters’ team are invited to workplaces to share their knowledge of locating and utilities in general. They educate groups about locating equipment and its limitations, and about planning and assessing risk. Sessions are adapted to the groups’ needs with the key focus being on issues and concerns they are experiencing in the field.

Locaters have given talks to environmental, geotechnical, engineering or project management personnel.

"Paul [from Locaters] gave an excellent presentation on underground service locations to our team, covering a wide range of subjects including technological challenges, new technologies, tricks of the trade, current and future regulations, and limitations of the methods used. Overall the feedback from other team members was extremely positive. Following this presentation, our Health and Safety Manager decided to reschedule this talk for other teams within Parsons Brinckerhoff."

Philipe Finance, Senior Environmental Geologist - Contaminated Land Management
Parsons Brinckerhoff

“I would like to thank you for coming into URS to carry out a 'Cable Locating' lunchtime talk which was very valuable for all members of our contaminated lands group. I had a lot of positive feedback from this session, employees new and experienced learnt something …”

Orla Donnetti, Health & Safety Advisor NSW
URS Australia

LOCATERS' SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE IN MELBOURNE

Since 2000, Locaters Pty Ltd has forged a reputation for providing high quality utility surveys for design and construction projects throughout metropolitan Sydney. The company is now offering state-of-the-art locating, surveying and mapping services in Melbourne. To discuss your Melbourne project call Chris on 0430 116 076.

3D UTILITIES MAPS AID DESIGN IN A REAL-WORLD CONTEXT

Pipes and cables can be displaced during the backfilling process or through ground movements caused by periods of heavy rain. Accurate 3D mapping can provide a picture what's really going on underground for the benefit of designers, excavation contractors and asset managers alike. 3D utility maps support better decision making, thereby reducing the likelihood of damaging underground utilities -- this means fewer repair bills and less downtime.

UTILITY INTERRUPTIONS: COUNT THE RISKS

Apart from the obvious risk of causing injury or death to workers or the public, hitting utilities and interrupting supply can have numerous roll-on effects.

Business and daily life is disrupted through interruptions to banking, commuter and transport services The Federal Government loses taxation income as loss of trades leads to reduced company tax GST revenue is lost as interruptions to EFTPOS services and online transactions restricts trading opportunities Stock trading losses occur if interruptions lock traders out of the stock exchange Higher insurance premiums can result from increased damage claims Loss of confidence in public transport reliability; rail disruptions can push commuters back into private vehicles Project disruptions as works are halted for damaged utilities to be repaired, and for alternative plans to be put in place. Ultimately pushing up project costs.

When utilities are damaged and disruptions occur everyone ends up paying. True prevention is the only way to end the spiralling costs.