National Safe Digging Week
National Safe Digging Week returns for its fifth year, running between the 8th and 14th July 2024.
This critical safety week is designed to highlight the dangers of digging ‘blind’ and raise awareness for the importance of searching before you dig. This core message has not changed since the initiative first launched, and is as true now as it has ever been.
Each year it takes place in July, which has statistically been the highest risk month for excavating. The aim is to help prevent people from striking any underground asset at any time, but this is even more important at a time when projects and excavation work is at its peak.
People are still putting themselves at risk
As the safe digging community continues to grow, it is more important than ever that everyone, from industry professionals, through to members of the public, farmers, fencers, and small scale builders, understand how to operate safely around the UK’s underground network of pipes and cables.
Our latest research into safe digging practices shows that there are almost 1,000 people a month panic searching on Google after hitting an underground asset. Not only does this show that people are not searching before putting a spade in the ground, but they also don’t know what to do once the accident has happened. That means approximately 12,000 people each year are putting themselves in danger via unsafe digging practices, and they are accentuating this risk by having no idea what to do next. Certainly a major worry.
Mistakes do happen, so knowing what to do next is of vital importance. If you think your first reaction in an emergency situation would be any of the below searches, please read about this subject further on our Emergency Procedures page. We have always advocated for staying safe on site or at home, and we truly believe that is has to be your number one priority.
- “I’ve hit a pipe, who pays?’
- “hit a gas pipe in my garden”
- “what to do if you hit a gas pipe”
- “hit power line while digging”
- “help, I’ve gone through a cable”
Remember…
Safe digging is for everyone, so whatever the digging the job – whether you’re carrying out home improvements, just planting a tree or extending your home – always search before you dig.
Watch Cadent’s latest video for 2024 below; it’s to remind contractors (and all of us) to always report any type of damage done during their work to gas pipes or gas assets. No matter how big or small.
