Out of sight, out of mind?

摘要

Accidents and fatalities whilst excavating should now be a thing of the past? If one reads the Construction Health & Safety Executive (CHSE) guidelines and conforms to the recommendations, no one should ever suffer harm from damage to underground services whilst excavating. Thankfully, ignorance is no longer an excuse. Each employer, operative, and even service owner, must take stock and reconsider the practice of breaking ground before the Law Commissions draft of the Involuntary Homicide Bill (as it will be known) is made law. The CHSE clearly states that before breaking ground at the commencement of any excavation, the operator or contractor should: 1. Look around for obvious signs of underground services. 2. Use locators to trace any services, marking the ground accordingly. 3. Make sure that persons supervising the excavation work have service plans and know how to read them. 4. Everyone carrying out the work should know about safe digging practices and procedures.