The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has issued a warning to construction workers to “think before you dig” following a 46 per cent rise in the rate of live power cable strikes since the end of the national coronavirus lockdown.
The trade body also revealed that the frequency of life-changing injuries resulting from a cable strike more than tripled over the same period.
A survey of construction workers by the ENA found nearly one in three tradespeople (31 per cent) do not always check for underground cables before breaking ground, despite them accounting for four in every five incidents.
When asked why they would not check, almost a quarter said they did not think they would dig deep enough to hit anything, whilst around one in six (15 per cent) said they didn’t think it was their responsibility.
Peter Vujanic, chair of the ENA’s Public Safety Committee, said: “It’s extremely concerning to hear that even though construction workers are one of the most-at-risk groups of injury involving underground electricity cables, more than one in four fail to check for cables before beginning work.
“With the proper education and support, these issues can be addressed and, ultimately, lives can be saved.”
The ENA said the rise in both incidents and injuries may be the result of people carrying out DIY projects without the necessary skills and expertise, as well as tradespeople becoming rusty after a long period off work.
David Spillett, head of safety, health and environment at the ENA said: “We’ve seen an increased number of cable strikes following construction workers returning back to work after lockdown and members of the public carrying out work at their homes where they’ve had to break ground.
“Keeping people safe is the highest priority for network operators which is why we’ve launched this campaign to urge everyone carrying out work to think before they dig.”
Over the last five years, a total of 354 people suffered life-changing injuries after striking a live underground cable – an average of around 70 people per year.