Endorsed by Energy Safe Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria, ‘Dial Before You Dig’ is aimed at assisting excavators to make informed decisions before they begin to dig and reduce the risk of injury, damage or disruption.
Victorian Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor said “Careless excavation threatens lives and livelihoods and can result in millions of dollars worth of damage to services, such as gas and water pipes, electricity and communication cables.”
Mr Batchelor said that the guide outlines the various responsibilities of everyone involved in a dig, from excavators, planners and engineers to asset owners, including pipeline companies.
Energy Safe Victoria Director of Energy Safety Ken Gardner said that the location of pipes and cables underground was not easy to predict.
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“They are often laid at varying depths on both public and private property,” Mr Gardner said.
“Unsuspecting diggers can very quickly find themselves cutting essential services to their own home or in some cases to entire neighbourhoods, towns or cities.”
WorkSafe Victoria Executive Director John Merritt said that the guidelines would help reduce the risk of damaging incidents that could cause injury or worse, fatalities.
Dial Before You Dig is a free referral service available to professional contractors, underground asset owners and individuals undertaking excavation.
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