Utility strike: what to do now

Your priority is protecting life. Act in this order.

Gas strike

• Evacuate everyone upwind and away from the area - minimum 100 metres for a major leak
• Do NOT use phones, radios, vehicles, or any ignition source near the leak
• Call the National Gas Emergency Service: 0800 111 999 (24 hours)
• Call 999 if you suspect anyone has inhaled gas or if there is a fire risk
• Do not attempt to stop the leak or backfill the excavation

Electrical cable strike

• Do NOT touch the cable, the excavator bucket, or anyone in contact with the cable
• Stay clear - electricity can arc through the ground. Keep everyone at least 5 metres away
• Call 105 (electricity emergency) or the local distribution network operator
• Call 999 if anyone is injured or trapped
• If operating plant, stay in the cab until the supply is confirmed isolated

Water main strike

• Evacuate if the trench is flooding - water pressure can collapse trench walls
• Call the water company emergency number (shown on your utility records)
• Move equipment away from the excavation to prevent further damage

Telecoms or fibre optic cable

• Do NOT look into the end of a damaged fibre optic cable - laser light can cause eye injury
• Call the network operator (BT Openreach: 0800 023 2023, or the operator shown on your records)

You have legal duties to report utility strikes that meet the RIDDOR criteria. Failure to report a reportable incident is a criminal offence.

Who you must notify

• The utility company: Immediately - use the emergency number
• HSE: If the strike meets a RIDDOR Schedule 2 dangerous-occurrence definition (or causes a reportable injury), report under RIDDOR within 10 days (online at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor). If there is a death, report immediately by phone on 0345 300 9923
• Your client or principal contractor: Immediately - they have CDM duties
• Your insurer: As soon as practicable - a utility strike may generate significant third-party claims

Once the immediate danger is resolved, you must investigate why the strike occurred. HSE may investigate serious incidents and will expect evidence of your safe system of work.

Evidence to preserve

• Utility plans and records used for the excavation (keep originals)
• CAT/Genny (cable avoidance tool) records - was it used, calibrated, by a trained operator?
• Method statement and risk assessment for the excavation
• Photos of the strike location, depth, and surrounding conditions
• Witness statements from operatives present
• Records of any hand digging undertaken near known services

Utility strikes can result in criminal prosecution, civil liability, and significant financial claims.

Potential consequences

• HSE prosecution: Unlimited fines under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Custodial sentences for serious negligence
• Utility company claims: Full cost of repair, supply interruption, and third-party losses. Gas main repairs can cost tens of thousands of pounds
• Civil liability: Compensation claims from injured workers or members of the public
• Street works enforcement: If working under a street works permit, the highway authority may issue fixed penalty notices and restrict future permits

Preventing recurrence

• Review your safe digging procedures against HSG47
• Confirm all operatives have current cable avoidance training
• Verify CAT/Genny equipment is calibrated and in date
• Check that utility record searches are being obtained for every excavation
• Enforce hand digging zones around known services
• Brief all site workers on the incident and lessons learned