Product Overview

Summary: This Utility Relocation Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for planning and carrying out the relocation of underground and overhead services on Australian worksites. It helps organisations control WHS risks, avoid costly service strikes and outages, and maintain compliance with duty-of-care obligations during construction, civil works, and infrastructure projects.

Utility relocation is one of the highest-risk activities on civil and infrastructure projects, with the potential for serious injury, major service outages, and significant financial penalties if not tightly controlled. This Utility Relocation Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, repeatable process for identifying existing services, engaging with asset owners, planning safe work methods, and executing relocations in line with Australian WHS legislation and local authority requirements. It covers both underground and overhead assets, including water, sewer, gas, electricity, communications, stormwater, and private services.

Developed for the Australian market, this SOP helps businesses move beyond ad-hoc practices and verbal instructions by providing a documented method that can be used across multiple projects and contractors. It addresses common pain points such as incomplete service information, poor coordination with utilities, unclear permit requirements, and inconsistent use of non-destructive digging and exclusion zones. By implementing this procedure, organisations can reduce the likelihood of service strikes, protect workers and the public, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, asset owners, and clients.

The document also supports better project delivery by integrating utility relocation into early design and staging, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and setting out communication and approval pathways. This gives project teams confidence that relocations will be carried out safely, with minimal disruption to residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure networks.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of electrocution, gas leaks, flooding, and other serious incidents arising from contact with live utilities.
• Ensure consistent, compliant planning and execution of utility relocations across all projects and contractors.
• Streamline engagement with asset owners, local councils, and service authorities through clear processes and documentation requirements.
• Minimise project delays, rework, and unplanned outages by integrating utility relocation into early design and staging.
• Demonstrate robust WHS due diligence and risk management to regulators, clients, and insurers.

Who is this for?

• Project Managers
• Construction Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Civil Engineers
• Utilities Coordinators
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Traffic Management Planners
• Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) / Before You Dig Australia Coordinators
• Principal Contractors
• Local Government Infrastructure Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Contact with live underground or overhead electrical assets resulting in electric shock or electrocution
• Damage to gas mains or services leading to gas leaks, fire, or explosion
• Rupture of water or sewer mains causing flooding, contamination, or ground instability
• Damage to communications and fibre optic cables affecting critical services and emergency networks
• Struck-by and crush injuries from plant and equipment during excavation and lifting operations
• Ground collapse, trench failure, and undermining of adjacent structures or roads
• Exposure to traffic hazards during roadside or corridor utility relocations
• Manual handling injuries when moving pipes, conduits, pits, and associated materials
• Environmental impacts from spills, uncontrolled discharges, or disturbance of contaminated soil
• Public safety risks from open excavations, temporary disconnections, or unprotected work areas

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Asset Owner Requirements
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Principal Contractor, Supervisor, Workers, Subcontractors)
• 5.0 Pre-Planning and Design Coordination for Utility Relocation
• 6.0 Service Location, Verification and Documentation (BYDA, potholing, as-built review)
• 7.0 Risk Assessment and Safe Work Method Development (SWMS/JSA)
• 8.0 Consultation and Approvals with Utility Owners and Authorities
• 9.0 Traffic and Public Safety Management for Utility Relocation Works
• 10.0 Plant, Equipment and Non-Destructive Digging Requirements
• 11.0 Step-by-Step Utility Relocation Procedure (Isolation, disconnection, relocation, reconnection, testing)
• 12.0 Controls for Working Near Underground Services
• 13.0 Controls for Working Near Overhead Powerlines and Aerial Assets
• 14.0 Excavation, Trenching and Ground Support Requirements
• 15.0 Environmental and Contamination Management
• 16.0 Quality Assurance, Inspection and Testing of Relocated Services
• 17.0 Incident, Near Miss and Service Strike Reporting and Investigation
• 18.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 19.0 Record Keeping, As-Built Documentation and Handover
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure
• Appendix A – Example Utility Relocation Checklist
• Appendix B – Sample Risk Assessment and SWMS Template
• Appendix C – Typical Exclusion Zones and Clearance Diagrams
• Appendix D – Contact List Template for Asset Owners and Authorities

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – Excavation Work Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS 1742: Manual of uniform traffic control devices (for works in the road reserve)
• AS 4799: Installation of underground utility services and pipelines within road reserves and other public land (where applicable)
• AS 2865: Confined spaces (for manholes, pits, and chambers)
• Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) guidelines and asset owner requirements