HSE updates excavation safety guide
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding contractors and site managers of its key guidance for avoiding danger during excavation work near buried utilities.
Avoiding danger from underground services (HSG47) outlines the main risks associated with working around electricity cables, gas pipes, telecoms and water mains — and sets out how to plan and carry out work safely to avoid injury, disruption or costly damage.
The guidance is relevant to anyone commissioning, planning, managing or carrying out work near underground services. This includes civil engineering, groundworks, concrete slab preparation, and roadworks — all of which frequently involve excavation in service-heavy environments.
HSG47 defines three core elements of a safe system of work:
- Planning the work
- Locating and identifying buried services
- Safe excavation
The publication, now in its third edition, updates practical advice while reinforcing long-standing principles.
The guidance is available as a free PDF download or printed booklet.
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