Before you start any digging project, whether it's for landscaping, building a pool, installing a fence, or undertaking construction work, one crucial step can’t be overlooked: ensuring you’re not accidentally hitting underground utilities. This is where the Dial Before You Dig service comes in—a free and vital tool that helps you avoid costly and potentially dangerous accidents. In this article, we’ll explain why Dial Before You Dig is essential, how it works, and how you can use it to protect yourself, your property, and the community from potential hazards.
1. Growing Demand for Development
Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) is a free, nationwide service in Australia that helps property owners, contractors, and anyone planning to dig to identify the location of underground utilities before they break ground. The service works by connecting users with information about the location of essential infrastructure such as water pipes, gas lines, electricity cables, and telecommunications lines.
By calling the Dial Before You Dig service or visiting their online platform, users can access detailed plans that show the exact location of underground infrastructure in their area. This helps prevent accidents, damage to infrastructure, and costly repairs, ensuring both the safety of workers and the continuity of critical services.
Why is Dial Before You Dig Important?
1. Preventing Accidents and Injury
One of the most significant risks when digging is accidentally striking underground utilities. Damaging gas lines, power cables, or water pipes can lead to fires, electrical shock, flooding, or even fatalities. Gas leaks, in particular, can lead to explosions, making these types of accidents especially dangerous.
By contacting Dial Before You Dig before any excavation, you can obtain vital information about the location of these utilities. This allows you to plan your work more carefully, reducing the risk of harm to yourself, others, and the surrounding environment.
2. Avoiding Expensive Repairs
Accidentally hitting underground utilities can lead to significant repair costs. Not only might you have to pay for the repair of the damaged infrastructure, but you could also face fines or legal repercussions for causing a disruption in services. For example, cutting a telecommunications cable can result in the disruption of internet or phone services, which could lead to penalties.
Dial Before You Dig provides the crucial information you need to avoid these expensive and avoidable issues. By planning ahead, you can save a considerable amount of time and money on repairs.
3. Compliance with Regulations
In many parts of Australia, it’s a legal requirement to contact Dial Before You Dig before starting any work that involves excavation. Not doing so could lead to fines, especially if you damage underground utilities during your project. The service helps you stay compliant with local laws and safety standards, reducing your risk of facing penalties.
4. Protecting Local Communities
Underground utilities play a crucial role in the daily operation of our communities, providing power, water, communication services, and more. Striking these utilities can disrupt not only your project but also the local community. For example, hitting a water main could leave your entire neighbourhood without water for hours or even days, leading to widespread inconvenience.
Dial Before You Dig ensures you have the right information to work safely, minimising disruption to essential services and keeping your community connected
How Does Dial Before You Dig Work?
1. Requesting Information
There are several ways to access Dial Before You Dig services:
- Phone: Simply dial 1100 to get in touch with the Dial Before You Dig team. This number is free to call, and you can ask for the utility location details for your area.
- Online: You can also visit the Dial Before You Dig website to submit a request online. You will need to enter your project details, such as the location and type of work you plan to do, and the system will generate a list of utilities in your area.
Once your request is submitted, you’ll receive detailed information from the relevant utility providers. This may include maps, diagrams, and other key details that highlight the location of underground services.
2. Receiving Utility Plans
After you’ve made your request, you’ll receive information from the utility companies, typically within a few business days. These utility plans will show you the precise location of cables, pipes, and other essential infrastructure beneath the ground. It’s important to review these plans carefully before starting any excavation work to avoid areas where utilities are present.
In some cases, utility companies might send an onsite representative to help assess the situation, especially if your project involves extensive excavation or work near high-risk infrastructure.
3. Planning and Proceeding with Caution
Once you have the utility location information, it’s time to plan your project accordingly. Mark out the areas where utilities are located and take extra precautions when digging near these zones. Depending on the utility type and depth, you may need to adjust your project or use different digging methods, such as hand digging in sensitive areas.
In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily shut off certain utilities to ensure safe excavation. This is especially true for gas or high-voltage power lines, where even a small mistake can lead to disaster. Always follow the guidelines provided by the utility companies and ensure you’ve taken every step to protect both your team and the infrastructure.
Common Hazards to Avoid When Digging
1. Gas Lines
Striking a gas line is one of the most dangerous hazards when digging. Leaking gas can cause explosions, fires, or suffocation. Gas lines are often buried deep underground and may be poorly marked, making them difficult to identify. If you accidentally hit a gas line, don’t attempt to repair it yourself. Evacuate the area immediately, avoid using any electrical equipment, and contact emergency services for assistance.
2. Electric Cables
Electrical cables pose an electrocution risk if struck. A damaged power line can cause a severe shock or electrocution. High-voltage lines, in particular, can be deadly even if they’re not directly in contact with you—electricity can jump through the air, so it’s essential to keep a safe distance. If you hit an electrical cable, immediately turn off the power to the area and contact the utility company.
3. Water Pipes
Concrete radar provides real-time results, allowing professionals to quickly identify problems and take appropriate action. This is particularly important in construction and renovation projects where time is of the essence. By reducing the need for invasive testing or drilling, radar speeds up the inspection process, helping to keep projects on schedule.
4. Telecommunications Cables
While not as dangerous as gas or power lines, telecommunications cables can cause service disruptions if damaged. Cutting a fibre-optic or telephone cable can affect internet, phone, and television services for you and the surrounding community. These cables are often buried shallowly, so be sure to check for their location before digging.
5. Sewer Lines
Sewer lines may not be as high-risk as gas or electricity, but they can cause significant environmental contamination if damaged. If you hit a sewer line, contact the local water authority to report the issue. It’s essential to repair any damages as quickly as possible to prevent waste from spilling into the environment.
Tips for Safe Digging
- Always Call Before You Dig: Even if you think you know where utilities are located, always double-check with Dial Before You Dig. It’s free and essential for safety.
- Use the Right Equipment: Use tools that are appropriate for the type of ground you’re digging in. If you’re digging near utilities, hand tools or vacuum excavation may be safer options.
- Hire Professionals: If you’re unsure about the location of utilities or how to safely dig, hire a professional contractor with experience in working near underground infrastructure.
- Stay Alert: Always stay aware of your surroundings and listen for any signs of potential issues, such as unusual smells (for gas) or sudden changes in water pressure.
Conclusion
Dial Before You Dig is an essential service that helps prevent accidents, injuries, and costly damages when undertaking any excavation work. By using this free service to identify the location of underground utilities, you ensure the safety of yourself, your team, and the surrounding community. Remember, it’s better to take a few minutes to check before digging than risk causing serious harm or disruption. So, make Dial Before You Dig a part of your project planning, and dig with confidence.
Ready to see how Dial Before You Dig can transform your next project? Reach out to South-East Scanning today!
