Safety Information

The Safety page at Before U Dig Ireland outlines essential practices and procedures to ensure safe excavation and protect underground utility assets. From pre-project planning to on-site safety and emergency protocols, this guide helps users minimize risk and follow best practices throughout every stage of their digging projects.

Gloved hand holds yellow hard hat

Emergency Procedures and Contact Details

A “beforeUdig” emergency is defined as a potentially life threatening situation and may include the following: burst water main, damaged electricity pole, leaking gas pipe, open sewer, major telecommunication cable damaged, and any other situations which may be catastrophic.

Workers repairing subsurface utility.

Safety Practices

At beforeUdig, safety of those working around utility assets and the community is of high priority. At every stage of the project, there are measures that can be taken to ensure the safety of those involved in the project and others.

damaged utility lines in city subsurface

If Damages Happen

Irrespective of size, any work site has the potential to damage assets located around the excavation site, leading to service interruptions, delays to the project, costly repairs and in the worst case scenario, injury or death.

Government building

Duty of Care

It is important to know your Duty of Care is when it comes to working in and around utility networks and assets in Ireland.

List of reference guides

Reference Guides

The following reference guides are available to assist with using beforeUdig and understanding beforeUdig processes and procedures regarding safe digging around utility assets.e.

beforeUdig is a free online service that enables anyone undertaking excavation work to obtain information on the location of underground assets in and around a proposed dig site — helping to prevent damage, ensure safety, and protect critical infrastructure.

The service provides a one-stop communication platform for contractors, utilities, and asset owners across participating regions.

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