A Guide to Avoiding Service Strikes in Construction Projects
Welcome back to the AKN Construction Strategies blog, where we delve into the intricacies of site engineering and construction management. Today, we address a crucial aspect of the industry that can make or break a project: service strikes.
With an estimated 60,000 accidental utility strikes per year, causing injuries, project delays, disruption and increased costs, this is an area of construction in desperate need of better practices and education awareness amongst workers and contractors.
In this post, we'll explore strategies to avoid service strikes and keep your construction projects on track, from utility work to highway maintenance to water companies, these types of work all involve extensive excavation making them prone to utility strikes.
Comprehensive Site Surveys:
Before breaking ground, invest in accurate topographical and utility surveys (GPR - Ground penetrating radar survey) that map out the existing underground utilities. Understanding the layout of these services helps in planning and prevents accidental damage during construction activities.
Utilise Advanced Technology:
Embrace technology to enhance precision in construction. Machine control systems can significantly reduce the risk of service strikes by ensuring that heavy machinery operates within specified parameters, minimising the chances of accidental damage to underground utilities. This is done by setting up avoidance zones for underground services and goalposts for services above ground.
Collaborate with Utility Companies:
Establish open lines of communication with utility companies early in the planning stages. Collaborating with them can provide valuable insights into the location of underground services, helping you plan construction activities more effectively.
Implement Stringent Site Safety Protocols:
Prioritise safety on the construction site by implementing rigorous protocols. This should start with detailed method statements and risk assessments completed by the contractor and signed off by the client. On the day of the works commencing, a permit to dig should be issued by a trained operative working for the client. They should have detailed knowledge of the site’s utility layout and will need to be trained to use CAT and Genny, ensuring also that utilities are clearly marked out before breaking ground.
Before breaking ground, the ground operatives also need to be briefed on the permit to dig, stating the method of digging, which includes non-use of plant and wearing fireproof overalls and insulated tools for hand digging.
If the area is crowded with services, use of a vacuum excavator is highly recommended. One of the operatives digging the area must be CAT and Genny trained and must be competent in service avoidance. If a digger is required to be used to dig above the services, it is not allowed to get closer than 500mm or 1 meter, depending on the type of services.
They must also use a toothless bucket and have a trained banksman who is also trained to use CAT and Genny, working beside the digger. The area needs to be constantly scanned as the digger digs the trench. If there is a high-pressure gas main, a trained supervisor from the utility company must be present to supervise the works.
Educate Your Team:
Invest in ongoing training programs for your engineering team. Educating them about the risks associated with service strikes and instilling best practices can go a long way in preventing accidents and ensuring the successful completion of projects.
Prioritise As-Built Surveys:
Conducting thorough as-built surveys provides an accurate record of the project's layout after construction. This documentation is invaluable for future maintenance and minimises the risk of accidental damage during subsequent projects in the same location.
Regularly Update Project Plans:
Construction sites are dynamic environments. Regularly update project plans based on new information, ensuring that any changes in the location or depth of underground services are reflected in the construction strategy.
In the Construction Industry, avoiding service strikes is a crucial step toward project success. By combining education and awareness among contractors with accurate surveys, advanced technology, collaboration, safety measures and meticulous planning, your site engineering team can navigate the complexities of underground utilities, ensuring a smoother construction process and delivering projects on time and within budget.
At AKN Engineering we specialise in precise site engineering services that meet the unique needs of your construction project.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve construction success through precision and accuracy.
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