Underground services, particularly electricity and gas can be extremely dangerous.

Damage to electricity cables can cause a dangerous flash, leading to severe burns or even death. Gas leaks can cause fire and explosion.
Damage can result from excavation or penetration of the ground (e.g., by a road pin).

Damage can result from excavation or penetration of the ground (e.g., by a road pin).

Underground services may be commonly found in roads, footpaths and on sites or across open land. Always assume that they are present. Treat any services found anywhere as "live".

Accidents have happened because people have mistaken one service for another, e.g., black plastic covered electricity cables look like plastic water pipes and cast iron gas and water mains look alike. Check before you act!

Before beginning work:

•  Always consult with the regional power and gas network companies. The service provider requires professional supervision in certain cases. The supervisor is an employee of the service provider and helps you at the work site to keep a proper distance away from the electricity or gas lines when digging.
• Indicate the location of service lines and cables on the surface by using waterproof paints or other material on hard soil and pegs and marker tapes in softer soil.

• Look around carefully for indications of a service connection, such as a gas or electricity meter or the connection point for a house or streetlight.
• If the service provider requires it, do your digging by hand and check the location of the service lines that run near the work area.

When starting work:

• Always dig manually when in the vicinity of service lines. Use a spade or a shovel instead of a pick axe or other sharp tool. (The service provider might require this.)
• Service lines sometimes have a protective concrete, plastic or ceramic covering, or the service line’s path might