Service Avoidance

Anyone who carries out a task that involves breaking ground is at risk of striking a service, and in some cases suffer from physical injury or lasting emotional distresses from the experience, and we want to do everything we can to reduce the potential of this.

We have developed this campaign to raise awareness of the growing concerns, signpost what information is available to you and help to create a discussion with your teams.

Over the past AMP, we have seen a 20% decrease in services being struck. However, in 2021 service strikes are increasing, especially those with the potential to cause harm.

• 2 lost time injury incidents have occurred in the past 6 months from hitting an electrical service. Through investigation of these incidents it has been found that most (if not all), could have been prevented if the basics had been implemented prior to any breaking ground commencing.

• The basic requirements can be found in the HSE guidance - HSG47 and the Thames Water Essential Standards 1 & 27

To reduce the likelihood of another injury which could be significantly worse, we must reduce the services being struck and improve the standards of the teams carrying out any activity that involves working around potential services and breaking ground.