The Risks of DIY Utility Locating

For contractors and construction specialists working on utilities and pipelines, it can be tempting to start work without having properly located the utilities in question first.

This is often done with a view to saving both time and money, especially when contractors already have an idea of where utilities might be located.

This is hugely risky, for a number of reasons. At Dowds Pipe and Cable Locating, we are experts in locating pipes and cables safely, with minimal damage done to the surrounding environment.

Let's take a look at three reasons why you should hire experts to locate utilities instead of trying it yourself.

It's Dangerous

The number one risk that contractors undertake when trying to locate utilities, pipes, and cables themselves is that of bodily harm to themselves and others.

If pipes and cables are hit unexpectedly while digging, this can result in serious accidents and injuries to anyone nearby. It is your responsibility to ensure that the work you do doesn't pose a risk to the people around you, and this means doing your due diligence before trying to locate pipes and cables.

It's Bad Press   

If you decide to locate pipes and cables yourself and something goes wrong, you could face severe consequences from both the press and your clients.

In December 2019 in the UK, hundreds of Virgin Media customers in southwest London were disconnected from the internet after a fibre-optic cable was cut through by a third-party contractor (https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/breaking-virgin-media-down-uk-21128511).

This caused a furore on social media against Virgin Media, the company that hadn't taken proper precautions to ensure that their utility locating was carried out by experienced professionals.

It Causes Unnecessary Damage

If you're locating pipes and cables by yourself, the chances are you're going to dig up more ground than an expert would.

You also run the risk of coming across other pipes and cables while you're digging, which are easily damaged during the process.

DIY utility locating usually causes much more damage than contractors first realise, which in turn means more time spent fixing the damage, as well as potential legal difficulties if other people's pipes and cables are involved.

It Doesn't Save Time Or Money

The upshot of all of this is that actually, DIY utility locating saves neither time nor money. The expensive delays and disruptions caused by the damage that can be done during DIY locating mean more work and a greater overall project cost.

By hiring professional utility locators from the beginning, construction managers and contractors can save themselves both time and money without risking the health and wellbeing of their employees and the public.

Call in The Experts

Hopefully, by now, you're convinced of the importance of hiring experienced professionals to locate pipes, cables, and other important utilities for you before starting work.

At Dowds Pipe and Cable Locating, we have 25 years of experience in civil and subdivision construction, and we adhere to the highest safety standards possible in all of our work.

To find out more about how we can help you, call 0434 635 134 today.