Toolbox talk · Electrical · about 5 minutes
Underground services: CAT and Genny
Download the PDF with attendance sheet
Why it matters
Striking a buried cable can cause severe burns or death. Gas and water strikes are dangerous too.
The hazards
- Live electricity cables
- Gas pipes
- Inaccurate or missing service drawings
- Services shallower than expected
Stay safe
- Get service plans before digging
- Scan with a CAT and Genny before and during digging, used by a trained person
- Mark the services found on the ground
- Dig trial holes by hand near located services
- Treat every service as live
- Use insulated tools when digging near cables
- If you strike a service, stop, move away, keep others away and report it
Ask the team
- Have the service plans been checked for this area?
- Who is trained to use the CAT and Genny?
- What would you do if you hit a cable?
The law and guidance
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. HSE HSG47, Avoiding danger from underground services.
General guidance to help you give a toolbox talk. It doesn't replace your site's risk assessments, method statements, permits or training. Check it against your own site rules before you give it.