How to verify underground utility locations before you excavate

Before breaking any ground for a patio, fence, or foundation, you must check for underground pipes and cables. This is a critical safety step done in two stages: first, request utility plans for free using the LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD) service, and second, use a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT scanner) on-site to pinpoint the exact location of these hidden dangers. Never dig blind.

Why You Can't Skip This Step

Striking an underground utility is not just an inconvenience; it can be catastrophic. The risks are severe and can stop your new business in its tracks:

• Personal Injury or Death: Hitting a high-voltage electric cable or a gas pipe can have fatal consequences.
• Costly Damage: You will be liable for the repair costs, which can run into tens of thousands of pounds, along with any compensation claims for service disruption.
• Legal Action: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can prosecute you for failing to take necessary precautions.

Your Two-Step Verification Process

Following the Health and Safety Executive's guidance (HSG47), a safe system of work involves two key stages. Think of it as a 'desk job' followed by a 'site job'.

Step 1: Request Utility Plans (The Desk Job)

Your first step is to get an idea of what utilities might be in your work area. The best way to do this is with LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD).

1. Register: Sign up for a free account on the LSBUD website.
2. Map Your Site: Draw a polygon on their map outlining your exact excavation area. Be precise.
3. Submit Your Enquiry: LSBUD automatically forwards your request to all its member utility companies, which includes most major gas, electric, water, and telecoms providers.
4. Receive Plans: Over the next few hours or days, you will receive emails containing plans from the relevant asset owners, showing the approximate routes of their services.

Important: These plans are only a guide. They show the intended location, but the actual position on site can differ. They are not a substitute for a physical scan.

Step 2: Scan the Site (The Physical Check)

Once you have the plans, you must use a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and Signal Generator (Genny) to find the actual location of the services on site.

A CAT scanner detects signals radiating from buried metallic pipes and cables. By walking over the site in a systematic grid pattern, you can identify their paths and mark them on the ground with temporary spray paint. Using a Genny is crucial as it allows you to induce a signal into services that don't carry one naturally, like a metal water pipe, making them detectable by the CAT.

Proper use of this equipment requires training. It's highly recommended you complete a certified CAT & Genny course to ensure you can use the tools effectively and interpret the results correctly.

Best Practices for Safe Digging

• Assume Services Exist: Always work on the assumption that there are underground services present until you have proven otherwise.
• Dig with Care: After marking the ground, carefully dig trial holes by hand using insulated tools to visually confirm the position, type, and depth of the services.
• Keep Records On-Site: Make sure the utility plans and your on-site markings are available for everyone working on the job.

Taking the time to complete these checks properly is a non-negotiable part of professional landscaping and construction. It protects you, your clients, and the public from harm.