Helping SPASA Members Work Safely Around Utilities
Landscaping activity is one of the 6th biggest contributors to the 15,000 known utility strikes yearly across Australia. Building pools, spas and landscaping features often involves excavation, trenching, fencing, concreting and other ground penetration works – all activities that can place workers at risk of injury or striking utility infrastructure if proper planning is not undertaken.
As the leading voice for utility damage prevention in Australia, Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) helps workers avoid injury and utility damage by providing access to free tools and safety information before work begins. These safety tools include the free referral service and Look Up and Live app and they are essential for anyone planning work near utilities to identify and avoid overhead and underground utility assets in your project area.
For pool and spa builders, understanding what is below ground is critical before installing pools, spas, retaining walls, fencing, drainage, irrigation systems or undertaking landscaping works. Even relatively shallow excavation activities can damage essential infrastructure if utility services are not identified and protected.
To support industry awareness and encourage safe work practices, BYDA offers a range of free education and training sessions tailored to contractors, trades and construction professionals. These free sessions can be delivered face-to-face or online by BYDA’s dedicated education team across Australia. Topics include safe excavation practices, understanding BYDA plans, complying with asset owner requirements and reducing the risk of utility strikes.
BYDA also provides a range of self-paced online training courses designed to help you upskill, stay compliant and improve safety on every project – while earning Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. Courses cover topics such as the 5Ps of Safe Excavation, working safely around utilities and understanding Australian Standard AS 5488, and interpreting utility plans and asset owner guidelines. Participants receive a certificate upon successful completion that can be used to claim CPD hours relevant to your profession or industry body.
To learn more, book a free education session or explore BYDA’s online courses.
This article is proudly sponsored by Before You Dig Australia
