Damage to utility lines on construction projects could be fatal and it’s costly to repair

One dead, two in hospital after crane hits power-lines

Image courtesy of zdiviv at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

​Damaging utility lines (gas, electrical, water and fibre optic cables) can be dangerous when it involves gas and electricity and it’s expensive to repair broken lines. In addition, it often disrupts the construction project while repairs are carried out, possibly resulting in delays. Damaging utility lines may also disrupt services to the client and the neighbours. What a fine way to start a construction project – upsetting the neighbours and the client at the project start because construction work cut their power or water.

It’s imperative to locate all the existing utility lines and clearly mark them, then ensure that all workers are aware of their presence. Unfortunately on several of my construction projects, even though the location of utility lines were known, workers were careless and still managed to damage them.
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Workers must take care when working near these cables and pipes, even excavating by hand close to services. If there’s any concerns that the pipe or cable has been damaged they should immediately notify you. Sometimes a cable or pipe is only slightly damaged and the problem isn’t reported or detected. These damages only become apparent after work has happened over the lines, possibly concrete slabs have been poured over the area, even complete buildings have been finished. Damaged cables may eventually blow when the ground is wet, or water from a leaking pipe may finally become visible on the surface. Finding the problem at this stage is difficult and expensive, involving digging up the completed work to get to the problem.

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Image courtesy of Good-start at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

​Overhead electrical cables are dangerous, and care must be taken that equipment doesn’t come in contact with the cables. In a recent accident in Australia one person was killed and two injured when a crane came in contact with power cables. Even steel items coming within two metres of a live high voltage electrical cable can cause a flash over of electrical current, which will damage equipment and cause serious injury to operators or workers. Workers carrying long metal items (such as aluminium ladders or reinforcing steel) shouldn’t come in contact with overhead cables. Low overhead cables should have a marker line at least a metre below it to highlight and protect the cable. Where possible the authorities should lift or move overhead cables which obstruct or restrict construction work.

Regrettably, even newly installed utility pipes and cables on the project are often damaged by workers who are digging or drilling in the vicinity and haven’t been informed of the cables and pipes.
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I’m sure most of us have had water pipes and power cables damaged on our construction projects. What’s been the worst result?

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© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

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