Risk Mitigation and Public Safety When contractors undertake excavation or underground works—such as plumbing, drainage, fire services, telecommunications, landscaping, or road resurfacing—the risk of striking underground cables or gas mains is a critical concern. Such incidents can result in power outages, gas leaks, fires, or explosions, posing a severe threat to the lives of site personnel and the general public. Furthermore, damaging these vital services can lead to widespread supply disruptions, resulting in millions of dollars in compensation claims and significant societal impact. Legal Obligations and Preventive Measures To prevent these occurrences, contractors are legally required under the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation, Gas Safety (Gas Supply) Regulations, and the Telecommunications (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 to take the following steps prior to commencement:
Information Acquisition: Obtain updated utility plans and cable records from power companies and relevant utility providers.
Professional Detection: Appoint a Competent Person (CP) to conduct on-site surveys to ascertain the exact location and depth of electricity cables, gas pipes, and telecommunication lines.
Site Briefing: Ensure that all site supervisors and frontline workers are fully informed of the underground utility layout.
Active Protection: Implement comprehensive protective measures throughout the construction phase to safeguard all utilities from damage.
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Hong Kong Underground Utility Detection Centre 香港地下設施探測中心