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What should I do if the working group is going to be working around HV
assets?
Any work that is taking place within a 3-meter radius of HV assets (cables, switchroom and HV
yards) we need to seek the assistance from the HV team. The HV team will be able to assist us
with what controls are necessary to keep our assets and ourselves safe.
Contact: HVteam@sydneywater.com.au
Is there approved Service Providers for service locating?
Yes, there is. A service locating company is available through Civil Contracts.
Company Contacts Contract Number Fact Sheet Request form
Online Pipe &
Cable Locating
1300 665 384 27071 Fact Sheet Request form
We are checking the performance of this contractor to ensure they are competent and capable.
Any performance issues should be reported to Abdul Ghannoum.
Contact: Abdul.Ghannoum@sydneywater.com.au
Is there approved Service Providers for asbestos testing?
Yes there is. There are approved consultants to help with the assessment of asbestos-containing
material and approved contractors to undertake the remediation of asbestos.
Approved Consultants:
- AECOM Services Pty Ltd (Contract 26186).
- Prensa Pty Ltd (Contract 28210).
- PRM Pty Ltd (Contract 28211).
- Hibbs & Associated Pty Ltd (Contract 28212).
- A.D. Consulting Group Pty Ltd (Contract 28227).
Approved Contractors:
- Enviropacific Services Pty Ltd (Contract 27955).
- Synergy Pty Ltd (Contract 27957).
- Ross Mitchel & Associates Pty Ltd (Contract 27956).
To assist with asbestos related issues and to engage these consultants and contractors we need
to contact PropertyEnvironmental@sydneywater.com.au
For further information on Asbestos Management
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What should I expect to be included within the risk assessment (SWMS
or JSA)?
We should note that SWMS are required for high risk work. These are identified within the Dig/Cut
permit and High-Risk work can be working with asbestos, or excavation greater than 1.5m. For all
other work service providers would be required to produce a risk assessment/JSA.
For all excavation work we should expect the following to be included:
- Who is undertaking the excavation
- Where is the work taking place
- How is the mechanical excavation going to take place
- One or more controls to prevent ground collapse before anyone can enter a
trench/excavation deeper than 1.5m
o Benching
o Battering
o Shoring / Trench box
- High Risk Work Rescue Plan
- Safe entry & exit points
- Standby Person / spotter has been appointed and will be in place for the duration of the
work. It would be expected that there may need to be more than one depending on the
work ie one to manage the open excavation/trench and one to manage the mechanical
excavation
- Risk of unsafe atmosphere within the excavation/trench has been identified and controlled
- Controls to prevent people or objects from falling into the open excavation/trench
- Setback distances for heavy loads
- Controls in place to maintain exclusion zones around overhead electrical lines
- Potential for the planned excavation/trench to impact the stability of surrounding buildings
or structures.
For all Hazardous Building Material work we should expect the following to be included:
- Who is completing the work
- Location and hazards to that location
- How to remove
- How to decontaminate persons and tools
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What are some ways to identify services?
UTILITY LOCATING
- Electromagnetic location equipment
- Ground Penetrating Radar
- Traceable Duct Rods
- Sondes ranging
- Acoustic Thump
- Ferris Metal Detectors
- Thermal Imaging
- Smoke testing
CONCRETE INSPECTION & SCANNING
- Ground Penetrating Radar
- Electromagnetic location equipment
- Cover Meter
- Schmidt Hammer
How can I communicate dig locations?
Ways to communicate the dig locations is to mark it out on a plant map or spray paint the area of
work. By marking it on site maps and drawings will help with the identification of possible services
within the area. When conducting a site inspection of the area to be excavated if we mark out the
dig location, we can see what other factors can impact our excavation work. Some impacting
factors can be buildings and surrounding services.
What should I include when the service location takes place?
When the service location takes place, we should include into the permit the methods and
technology used to identify underground or hidden services. The calibration and test details of the
device should also be noted. This can be recorded on the Permit or Service search report.
What types of barricading can be used?
During an excavation, it is necessary to ensure that the area is controlled. The best way to ensure
that people are safe when working around excavations and trenching is to barricade the area. For
types and ways to barricade please use the Hazard Management Guide D0000488.
Do I need to apply Lockout Tagout?
If work is being conducted around hazardous sources of energy or substances, we must isolate
and Lockout Tagout (LOTO). However, some services such as HV supplies and Network
Infrastructure (SCADA, computer, and telephone cable) cannot be isolated. For work to commence
without an isolation we must ensure that we have the necessary controls to protect the assets and
ourselves. Controls can include but not limited to non-destructive digging and hand digging. For
these works to proceed we must have endorsement from our Hub Manager (Production) or Area
Manager (Networks). This can be recorded within the Dig/Cut Permit or via Email.
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What other permits maybe required, and why?
Other than the Dig/Cut permit, during dig, cut and other penetrations activities we may introduce
other hazards. Some other additional permits that maybe required are:
Lockout Tagout – This is to record any isolation and people working within an isolated work area.
This is to protect people for hazardous sources of energy and substances.
Working at Heights – This is to record work that is going to take place at heights. During
excavations, the hole or trench now poses a working a heights risk and we need to ensure that
we are working safely. This can be done by installing guardrails, scaffolding, working under fall
arrest or fall restraint.
Traffic Management Plan – As digging and cutting can involve the use of excavators, drillers,
borers, trucks and various other moving plant and machinery, the use of the plan would outline
the controls necessary to manage the risk of people, vehicles and mobile plant.
What do I do if the contractor wants to excavate (dig, cut, or penetrate)
in a different location?
If there’s a change in location, we will need to complete the process for the new location; a new
Dig/Cut Permit and a service search will need to be completed.
What is non-destructive digging (NDD)?
Non-destructive digging is the process of safely excavating the ground surface without the risk of
damage to buried services. Types of Non-destructive digging are:
Vacuum excavation – A suction excavator produces powerful suction through a wide pipe which
is up to 30nm or so in diameter. The suction inlet air speed may be up to 100 m/s (220 mph). Its
construction is somewhat like a vacuum truck but with a wider suction hose and more powerful
suction.
Hydro vacuum excavation – is the process of removing or moving soil with pressurised water. An
air conveyance or vacuum is then used to transfer the soil or debris to a debris tank. Hydro
excavation equipment combines high-pressure water an air vacuum. This system cuts through
the soils and breaks it up. The vacuum then lifts the slurry from the excavation area. The debris
is transferred to a debris tank.
Air excavation & knifing – An air knife is a safe, non-destructive excavation tool, which uses a
high-pressure airflow that which penetrates, expands and breaks-up soil. After the soil is
loosened, the remaining material is safely vacuumed away.
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Who can do non-destructive digging (NDD)?
Production currently has access to the following Service Providers which can conduct NDD.
Company Contacts Contract
Number
Fact
Sheet
Way to engage
Online Pipe &
Cable Locating
1300 665 384 27071 Fact
Sheet
Request form
Veolia Water
Vacuum Truck
8867 9600
0418499653
25777 Request form
Aqua Assets
Office Mgr: Megan
Young
Contract Mgr:
Warwick DaVanzo
02 9708 0800
megan.young@aquaassets.com.au
0409 970 001
warwick.davanzo@aquaassets.com.au
1. Request quotation
from them.
2. Send the quotation &
account number,
project (if any) and
dept # Kunal Narain
to raise a PO.
How long can the Dig/Cut permit remain open?
The Dig/Cut permit can remain open for 5 days. After this time, we’ll need to reassess the site and
confirm that the controls are still current & appropriate. At the start of each working day we should
talk to the service provider to ensure that all the appropriate controls and work location remain in
place or if changes are required.
What happens if we find a service that not identified within current
drawings?
Its best to take advantage to record as much about the asset as possible, such a location, depth,
type etc. Locating service providers can also provide services to survey and help record the asset.
Once details about the service has been recorded, it’s important to use the red mark-up capability
within EDMS to ensure that site drawings are updated.
