Electrical - Beware of underground cables - electric shock from street sign

Beware of underground cables

Take extra care when driving metal poles and other objects into the ground.

What happened

On Saturday 6 February 2021 a person installing concrete footpath received a potentially serious electric shock when they contacted a street sign.

The sign, which had been installed recently, had damaged underground low voltage cables and was energised at 240V. The person was advised to seek a precautionary medical check.

The energised sign

The damaged cable

Electrical safety risks

Underground electrical cables are installed in roads, footpaths and road reserves in most residential areas in Melbourne and all Victorian towns.

Any underground work in these areas has the potential to damage cables. When cables are damaged by metal objects including street signs, fencing stakes, or any digging tool, there is a risk of electric shock that can cause serious injury and death.

Control the risks

• Before carrying out any penetration or excavation work, or installing equipment into the ground, always check for underground electrical cables and other assets by contacting Dial Before You Dig (www.1100.com.au).
  • It is a person’s legal responsibility to inspect all plans and drawings of electrical assets in the vicinity before making any excavation deeper than 300mm – this includes installing street signs, fencing posts, star pickets, as well as any normal excavations.
• Check the location of all electrical underground cables shown on drawings provided by electricity companies.
• If the penetration or excavation work is within 500mm of any underground cable shown on the drawings, visually prove the cable location using non-destructive digging (i.e. hand digging or hydro-vac digging).
• Identify any nearby electrical assets such as electrical cabinets, cubicles, pillars, switch-boards and pits. The existence of nearby electrical assets will indicate the existence of electrical underground cables in the area.
• Avoid ‘driving’ metal poles or any other objects deeper than 300mm into the ground by making a mark 300mm from the ground end of the poles and objects.
• Do not proceed if you cannot maintain appropriate safe distance to the underground cables (refer to links below for more information).
• Immediately notify the relevant electricity supplier if you contact electrical cables (refer to contact numbers below).
• Be aware of, and take the same precautions for, other underground assets (such as gas, water, telco, etc.) which can also have serious consequences when damaged.
• Get a medical check if you receive an electric shock.

More information

• ESV underground No Go Zones
• Worksafe Guide for undertaking work near underground assets
• Before You Dig Australia

If you have contacted electrical assets, immediately call the relevant electricity suppliers: