Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution is encouraging DIY enthusiasts to think before they dig if working outdoors.
Springtime and the 1st Bank holiday weekend of the year is traditionally a busier time for people working on their homes and gardens. SSEN wants to ensure customers have all the information they need to work safely on their planned projects.
Striking an underground electricity cable can have serious, if not potentially fatal, consequences and SSEN is hoping that its annual awareness campaign – combined with readily available information on its website – will help keep people safe before they start digging.
As gardening and DIY projects increase through the springtime, so too can safety incidents where underground cables were struck by members of the public. Each year, around 70 people across the UK suffer life changing injuries by accidentally striking underground cables.
SSEN is aware that most of its customers will be gardening on a smaller scale, but deeper excavations for tree roots, fence post replacements, footpath widening, or patio laying require safety checks to be carried out before any works are started.
Ahead of any significant works, the distribution network operator is encouraging people to think carefully about their projects, referring to guidance on its safety website https://www.ssen.co.uk/power-cuts-emergencies/keeping-safe/.
Peter Vujanic, Head of Safety, Health and Environment at SSEN Distribution, said:
“The safety of our customers and communities is our top priority and we’re keen to raise awareness of the potential dangers lying beneath the soil in our gardens this Spring. The message behind this campaign is simple – think before you dig.
Article continues below this advertisement “If you’re working in the garden or planning any property maintenance or DIY that might bring you close to our underground cables, please visit our website for guidance, book an underground cable assessment or call us for some free and helpful safety advice from our dedicated teams.”
For safety information or to book a free underground cable assessment, visit SSEN’s safety webpages. Customers can also use the free-to-call 105 number to request guidance on any works they are undertaking, or to report any issues they see on the network ahead of planned works.
Well they should ensure their cables are bnuried deep enough so normal digging can’t reach them. Our neighbours found our supply cable with a digger and it was buried less that a foot under ground easily reachable by a fork. We or they had no idea that it was there.
Agreed,as a groundworker i have found many virtually on top of the garden along with telephone cables which are on show after a heavy rain,in my day they had to be two feet down with a warning tape at least 6″ above them.Most of the cables i hit in the digger were electric or water and never at the required depth.
But that would cost money Joe, and we know that companies can do no wrong, please think of the shareholders. Customer is always wrong in 2022.
Ohh shocking news !!
Isn’t that a safety issue for SSEN.
Don’t pass the responsibility onto the gardeners /home owners.!!!
How about SSEN ‘advising’ WightFibre NOT to hack through power supply lines when they continue to dig up the Islands Roads!
Maybe it would help home owners if the utility supply companies actually told you where their services are rather you having to look for them?
This stuff was all installed years ago when the utilities were publicly owned. Since they have been private they have washed their hands of the bits on private property….the very bits no-one ever had a say on and no knowledge of their locations.
Try finding information on water mains in Cowes if you want a laugh!