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The Safety Benefits Of Underground Service Location - How It Can Prevent Accidents And Injuries On Construction Sites

Apr 25, 2023

Underground service location, also known as utility locating or subsurface utility engineering (SUE), is the process of identifying and mapping the location and characteristics of underground utilities. Nick, the owner of Gold Coast Vac Trucks, insists this is an essential step in the construction process, as it allows for the safe and efficient installation of new utilities without causing damage to existing infrastructure. The safety benefits of underground service location are numerous and can prevent accidents and injuries on construction sites.

Prevention Of Damage To Underground Utilities

One of the biggest safety benefits of underground service location is the prevention of damage to underground utilities. Underground utilities, such as gas lines, water lines, sewer lines, electrical infrastructure and fibre-optic communications cables, are often located within or in close proximity to construction sites. Without proper underground service location, these utilities can be easily damaged during the construction process, leading to accidents and injuries. For example, a damaged gas line can lead to a fire or explosion, while a damaged water line can lead to flooding. By properly locating and mapping these utilities, construction crews, who often use drilling and digging equipment, can avoid them and prevent damage, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.


Furthermore, different types of underground utilities are often in very close proximity. Any attempt to expose or access one utility may lead to the disruption of others. Gold Coast Vac Trucks underground service locator can detect this situation, and use their Hydro Excavation Service to carefully and safely expose all services around the service being targeted.

Prevention Of Injuries To Workers

Another safety benefit of underground service location is the prevention of injuries to workers. Traditional excavation methods, such as hand digging and backhoe excavation, can be dangerous and lead to injuries. Underground service location, on the other hand, can be completed using non-destructive methods, such as ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) location. These methods are safer for workers and reduce the risk of injuries caused by manual labour or heavy machinery.

The Safety Benefits Of Underground Service Location - How It Can Prevent Accidents And Injuries On Construction Sites | Gold Coast Vac Trucks

Reduces The Risk Of Delays And Disruptions

Underground service location also improves safety by reducing the risk of delays and disruptions to the construction process. Nick reveals that without proper underground service location, the construction process can be delayed due to unexpected damage to underground utilities. This can lead to increased costs and missed deadlines - a situation that Nick has seen many times over. Nick has responded to many worksites leaks and incidents of underground infrastructure damage, because proactive precautions had not been take. This is why Nick highly recommends properly locating and mapping utilities, so that construction crews can avoid them and prevent delays, improving safety and reducing disruptions.

Reduces The Risk Of Environmental Hazards

Underground service location improves worksite safety by reducing the risk of environmental hazards, Nick shares. Traditional excavation methods can cause significant damage to the surrounding landscape and can result in costly fines for environmental violations. Underground service location can be completed using non-destructive methods, such as Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic location, which minimise damage to the surrounding landscape and reduce the risk of environmental hazards.

Combining Underground Service Location with Hydro Excavation for worksite safety | Gold Coast Vac Trucks

More Advantages of Hydro Excavation

Underground service location is an essential step in the construction process that can be proactively used to prevent accidents and injuries on construction sites. It allows for the safe and efficient installation of new utilities without causing damage to existing infrastructure. By properly locating and mapping underground utilities, construction crews can avoid them and prevent damage, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. Additionally, underground service location can improve safety by reducing the risk of delays and disruptions to the construction process, and reducing the risk of environmental hazards. With the increasing adoption of this method in the construction industry, underground service location is becoming the go-to solution for many construction projects.


In summary, this is the list of the safety benefits of underground service location:

  • Prevention Of Damage To Underground Utilities
  • Prevention Of Injuries To Workers
  • Reduces The Risk Of Delays And Disruptions
  • Reduces The Risk Of Environmental Hazards

Gold Coast Vac Trucks are expert providers of Underground service locator services in Gold Coast, south-side Brisbane and Northern NSW. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - please call us anytime.

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