Product Overview

This Location of Underground Services SWMS is a site-specific safety document designed to identify hazards and implement controls when locating, exposing, and working around underground utilities and services, helping you maintain WHS compliance on every job. It provides comprehensive coverage of all key activities involved in the location of underground services, from non-invasive detection through to safe excavation and rerouting of existing services.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Locating and safely exposing existing underground services prior to excavation or drilling
• Non-invasive service location using approved detection methods to minimise the risk of service strikes
• Operating ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and site procedures
• Performing subsurface mapping and clearly marking the position and depth of identified services
• Planning and implementing the safe rerouting or protection of existing underground services during works
• Use of cable locators and electronic detection devices to accurately identify buried power, communications, and other services
• Working safely near live utilities and services, including gas, water, sewer, power, and communications
• Verification of service locations through potholing, hand digging, or vacuum excavation before mechanical excavation
• Coordination with utility providers and use of “Dial Before You Dig” (Before You Dig Australia) information and plans
• Traffic and pedestrian management around service location activities in public or high-traffic areas
• Control of plant and equipment (e.g. excavators, augers, vacuum trucks) when operating near marked services
• Emergency response planning for accidental service strikes, including electrical, gas, and water incidents
• Training, competency, and authorisation requirements for personnel conducting underground service location

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, plumbers, electricians, communication installers, drilling and excavation crews, utility locators, and site supervisors responsible for works near underground services.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Excavation Work Code of Practice: Guidance on managing risks associated with excavation and trenching, including underground services.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for safe use of plant and equipment when working near buried services.
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Risk management framework applied to underground service location activities.
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice: General WHS requirements for construction work, including service identification before excavation.
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules): Requirements relevant to working near underground electrical installations.
• AS 5488 Classification of Subsurface Utility Information (SUI): Guidance on the investigation and documentation of subsurface utilities.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017