And finally… ‘Digger Girl’ promotes electrical safety

The collaboration follows a rise in incidents involving underground cable attacks across the UK, which resulted in 12 injuries and deaths last year.

Given the potential for underground cable strikes to result in power outages, property damage and even serious injury or death, safety messages produced with ‘Digger Girl’ Amy are designed to ensure people know what to look out for and what to do to protect themselves. Keep themselves and others safe when working near the power grid.

With over 800,000 followers across her social media channels, Digger Girl is renowned for her creative and engaging content, industry expertise, and down-to-earth insights and advice on life as a woman working in construction.

Previously named among the UK’s top 100 women in construction by the National Federation of Builders, she now uses her popular platforms to share SP Energy Networks’ top tips for staying safe when working near underground cables and overhead lines.

Amy said: “As operators working in the construction industry, the first thing we all need to think about when operating machinery is safety. This is even more important when you add in the potential risks of using this equipment around underground cables or overhead power lines; We all deserve to go home at the end of the workday.

“That’s why it’s so important for people to see this content on SP Energy Networks, and I’m proud to be part of these efforts to support a safer workplace for operators like me. If I had one piece of advice it would be to make sure you always follow these easy safety tips when out in the field; These could literally save your life!”

Amy’s top tips for staying safe near underground cables and overhead power lines:

• Always assume the cables are live.
• Never dig without knowing what’s in the ground. Before digging, use cable locators (CAT) and request cable plans from SP Energy Networks or your local network provider.
• Always use appropriate PPE for excavation work and safe digging techniques (e.g. hand digging) near known underground cables.
• Always pay attention. To look! before starting work. Take the time to look for overhead power lines or electrical installations.
• Know the size of your equipment and do not operate it if it violates safety clearances to overhead cables.
• Plan your work in advance and ask for cable plans from SP Energy Networks or your local network provider. Identify potential dangers and create a strategy to avoid them. If you are unsure of the height of the overhead line, request a GS6 survey.
• Stay informed about any changes or maintenance work carried out by SP Energy Networks that may affect your work area.
• Receive training in working safely around electricity, understanding the risks and how to reduce them, is essential to your safety. Explore training support options with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Lantra and the Energy Networks Association (ENA).
• Keep the national 105 electrical emergency hotline nearby and report any damage to underground wiring or electrical equipment immediately. If anyone is injured, call 999 immediately for medical help.

Derek Bell, health and safety director at SP Energy Networks, said: “It’s great to have ‘The Digger Girl’ on board to help share SP Energy Networks’ vital messages about recognizing potential electrical hazards and how to stay safe when working near electricity across the network. We know that many people working in the construction industry will routinely follow this advice, but the evidence shows that this is not always the case and while there are many ways to keep ourselves safe, one injury (or worse) is one too many.

“I have no doubt that Amy’s reputation as a trusted and respected voice in the industry, combined with her amazing storytelling style, will enable us to reach as many people as possible; “This is truly the perfect way to help improve industry safety.”