Dial Before You Dig The Importance of Safe Excavation
The Importance of Safe Excavation • Dial Before You Dig - a free referral service designed to protect Australia’s underground assets and workers • Single point of contact for all excavators to obtain information • We are the “Middle Man” between excavators (our customers) and asset owners (our Members) • We are the leading voice in safe excavation • A national not for profit community service • Established 1987
Our Service • • • • •
The essential first step in any excavation Lodging an enquiry is free Funded by our Members Enquiries can be lodged online - www.1100.com.au – 24/7 Dial Before You Dig has a single contact number - 1100 – free call
Our Service • • • • •
Nationally – over 700,000 enquiries annually Over 2 million referrals nationally Approximately 80% of all enquiries lodged online Call Centre – based in Melbourne We refer enquiry to Member - Member then responds within 2 business days • Enquiries continue to grow on an annual basis
The Service Enquiry
Utility 1
1 Dial Before You Dig
Customer
Utility 2
Enquiry
3
Confirmation
2
Central Enquiry & Notification Service
4
Notification
Utility response
Utility 3
Utility 4
Our Members • • • • •
The power, water, gas and telecommunications organisations Councils Other organisations with underground assets Non asset owning Members Over 500 Members Nationally
The Online Service
The Online Service
Emergency Contacts Search
Our business is continually adding value • • • • • • •
Ongoing improvements to our online service iPhone technology Automation of Member responses Membership continues to grow Working closely with industry stakeholders Education services Co-branding
Damages • Most damages are caused through… – – – –
Lack of Planning Lack of Awareness Wrong Assumptions Ignorance
• Machinery involved in damaging underground networks – Augers, backhoes, excavators, boring machines, directional drilling, bitumen strippers – Also shovels, picks, star pickets, garden stakes, For Sale signs
Damages • The main causes of damage… – – – – – –
Not using Dial Before You Dig Not waiting for information to arrive Using plans that are out of date Not having plans onsite Not paying attention to clues at the work site Assuming the depth or alignment of underground networks
Damages • The main causes of damage… – – – – –
Changing the job specifications halfway through Not realising how many activities can damage underground networks Not realising that networks can exist at more than one level Assuming that registered easements tell the whole story Not communicating onsite
Damages CONSEQUENCES
• Costly delays to projects as damage repaired and services are restored. • The damager runs the risk of a substantial repair bill. • Bad Press for the offending organisation.
Damages CONSEQUENCES • The Service owner has to respond to the damage. • Services to network customers are interrupted. • The community may be put at risk through damaged services (e.g. Hospital’s water supply cut off). Remember Dial Before You Dig is a Quality Assurance component and an essential safety tool. Incorporate it into your planning!
Incidents • • • • •
Hallet Cove – South Australia Kapunda – South Australia Northern Territory – 2008 Melbourne – South Yarra Sydney – Cremorne
How to avoid damage What can you do to avoid damage to underground networks? • Understand & Demonstrate your “Duty of Care” Protects Employment Protects Your Company Protects Essential Services • Your “Duty of Care” is to … Plan Pothole Protect and only then Proceed
Dial Before You Dig • • • • • • •
The Essential First Step Every time – no matter what the project Wait for plans Remember – plans indicate presence only Use contact numbers provided Use locators if necessary Avoid costly and dangerous damages
Questions
www.1100.com.au