Think before you dig
November 26, 2020RSK is now responsible for digging approximately a quarter of all intrusive locations in the UK. This includes boreholes, window samples and trial pits. There are several RSK group businesses that undertake intrusive investigations, including Structural Soils, Central Alliance, Geocore, RoC Consulting, Ian Farmer, Up and Under and Dynamic Sampling. All of which consider health and safety top priority. SafeGround, RSKβs dedicated buried infrastructure detection and mapping service, offers expertise and advice on service avoidance to help ensure that safe digging procedures are implemented and followed across the group. Providing on-site mark-out surveys ahead of ground-breaking activities, SafeGroundβs aim is to keep the workforce safe by reducing cable strikes.
In light of Construction Enquirerβs recent article, βCable strikes jump 20% since lockdownβ, this seems increasingly pertinent. The piece reports that βUnderground powerline strikes from July to September alarmingly jumped 20% to 475 incidents compared with the same time last year.
β[β¦] It is not clear whether the surge has come from a rise in utility and roadworks or whether workers returning from furlough or shutdown are now neglecting basic safety procedures,β the article continues. However, the statistic, βalmost a third (31%) [of construction workers] admitted to not always checking for underground electricity cables before beginning work,β is telling.
Through its safe working culture and Permit to Dig procedures, RSK has always maintained the importance of having a robust safe system of work in order to avoid service strikes.
βRSK follows best practice as set out in the HSE guidance βHSG47 Avoiding Danger from Underground Servicesβ and has produced its own SHEQMS Guidance on the Avoidance of Buried Services,β comments Principal SafeGround Geophysicist Gerwyn Leigh. βThis sets out a safe system of work that our site investigation teams rigorously followβ.
This safe system of work is a result of careful planning for each and every site investigation undertaken on a site-by-site basis.
βFirstly, up-to-date service plans are obtained by our in-house desk-based utilities team,β explains Gerwyn. βWe can identify main service routes and use suitable locating equipment to locate and therefore avoid those services. When on site, our competent geoscience and drilling staff undertake site walkovers with those plans to identify service covers and access points, highlighting discrepancies with what is shown on the plans and move away from potential buried servicesβ.
RSK SafeGround utilise trained, competent geophysicists to provide PAS128 ground penetrating radar (GPR) service detection to locate known services, private or unrecorded services and buried obstructions, and therefore to avoid them and find safe locations to for the site investigation teams to dig.
Furthermore, RSK site investigation staff are trained to undertake CAT & Genny surveys and will complete a Permit to Dig prior to breaking ground. Hand dug pits and vacuum excavations are also completed in order to safely search and uncover any other undetectable services in the shallow subsurface, before safely undertaking drilling and deeper site investigation. All of these components of the safe system of work help reduce the risk of service strikes and allows RSK to work as safely as possible in these challenging times and in all sites and environments.

βNot all of these steps may be necessary at every site,β concludes Gerwyn. βSite investigation teams assess the nature and history of each site to determine what is necessary to undertake the work as safely as possible. SafeGround offer expertise and advice to help assess which components of the safe system of work are required whilst reducing the risk of service strikes. With our in-house geoscience, site investigation and drilling teams, we aim to ensure all intrusive work is conducted safely.β
For more information about RSK SafeGround and associated intrusive and non-intrusive investigation services, please contact Gerwyn Leigh.
π₯³ #RSKgroup company RSK Biocensus is delighted to have been named Large Consultancy of the Year at the 2022 Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Awards.
π The awards aim to celebrate the outstanding work of ecologists and environmental managers who work to protect and enhance the natural environment, and are the highest honour an ecological consultancy can receive.
π Well done RSK Biocensus! Find out more following the link in bio now
#rskfamily #sustainablebusiness
π’ #RSKGroup is delighted to announce the acquisition of leading facilities and #environmental services provider MSS Group
π€ The culture of collaboration within MSS teams to solve challenges faced by its clients and business aligns with the aims of RSK, thereby creating a synergistic fit between the two companies that will benefit clients.
Find out more by clicking the link in our bio!
#facilities #industrial #environment #sustainable #asbestos
πΈ #selfiesonsite π€³
Phillip Loseby undertaking an inspection of culvert for NMWTRA in North Wales using the UU remote camera unit.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities π www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #construction #inspection #careers
π£ We are SO excited for the launch of the new kit for @cafcofficial with #RSKgroup as the official front of shirt sponsor
β½ A retro-inspired design with the classic Charlton Red with RSK #spotted on the front
π "We Are One Club! A big thank you to all those members of the Charlton family who came together to help launch our 22/23 Castore home kit" - Charlton Athletic Football Club
#cafc #rskfamily #football #sponsor
π³οΈβπ RSK is proud to stand alongside members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
π People deserve to be their authentic selves and love freely without fear.
You can read Graeme and Abigail's full stories next week in RSK insights. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
#rskfamily #pride #pridemonth #loveislove #lgbtq
πΈ #selfiesonsite π€³
Ryan Dunderdale, Senior Surveyor at Central Alliance, providing technical support and on-site training to datum plate install teams down in Bristol.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities π www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #engineering #construction
π In the June edition of our #employeespotlight, we spoke with with Rosie Pearce at Stephenson Halliday and Carmen Snowdon at WRc Group to find out about their recent achievements π
π Congratulations to you both!
Click the link in our bio to find out more!
#rskfamily #employeeapprecitation #team #landscapeinstitute #instituteofwater #architecture
"If you donβt feel valued, represented and respected in your workplace, then inevitably your #wellbeing will suffer.β
π In our latest edition of #ADayInTheLife, we spoke with Ellen Lapworth-Maisey, Wellbeing, #Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RSK β a fascinating position that helps to create an inclusive and empowering #culture for all RSK staff.
Click the link in bio to learn more!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #diversity #inclusion #mentalhealth