Afternoon IOSH Community

A contractor has struck an underground utility service that didn't appear on any utility scans - they said they carried out GPR scans themselves which didn't reveal the underground utility - will the contractor need to report the incident under part 3 dangerous occurrences to RIDDOR no 42 The inrush of water or material which flows when wet from any source?

Do you think this is reportable criteria, I welcome any comments?

Thanks,

Damian

Hi Damian

There are lots of incidents that might seem to be "dangerous occurrences" but as far as RIDDOR is concerned only the ones defined in Schedule 2 count.

....and for most people that means reading Schedule 2 Part 1 (General) and Part 2 - anywhere other than an "offshore" [defined term] workplace.

Hitting underground services is not on the lists in Parts 1 and 2.

In contrast hitting an overhead power line is in scope. 

Possibly a reflection of the stats. Fatal accidents from contact or arcing with O/H lines are relatively common (roughly three a year in Great Britain). Fatal accidents from hitting underground services are very uncommon.