June 2009
Hefty Fines for Contractors

Have you ever dug up a power cable or gas line when digging? Do you know someone who has? Have you seen or read a news article about someone doing so, or experienced a power outage as a result?

All of us can answer yes to at least one of these questions.  That’s a scary thought when considering the tough new penalties that were passed as legislation in NSW State Parliament this month.  It follows power failures in Sydney’s central business district in March and April—two of which were due to workers undertaking excavation.

If power or gas supplies are cut, fines of up to $22,000 for contractors and $440,000 for corporations apply.  Prison terms of up to five years await those who interrupt the electricity and gas supply. On top of all this, the service supply company can sue for the cost of total damages incurred.

In anyone’s language, that’s a lot of money.

So, what are the safeguards? The gas and electricity suppliers have to provide Dial Before You Dig with up-to-date information on service location. That is now law.

Unfortunately this could take some time and Energy Australia admits it could be months before it is done.

An operator must contact Dial Before You Dig prior to commencing work and then wait for the information to be provided.

Considering the extreme costs either a company or contractor could be facing due to an accidental cable strike, investing in extra-precautionary cable-detection equipment is an attractive prospect. At the very least it shows clear intention to do the right thing when combined with following the rules.

And the cost? Minimal when compared with what stands to be lost. C.R. Kennedy are offering an EZiDIG and DigiCat cable detection package from just $7,500 + GST.

The EZiDIG is an on-board cable-detection system that fits any sized excavator. It is a simple magnet-mounted system and can easily be moved between machines. A screen sits in the cabin and alerts the user to the presence of cables both visually and via an audio warning. The DigiCat is a hand-held cable-detection wand and uses both visual and audio alert.  The two products can be purchased separately but work extremely well together.

Under the circumstances, it makes a lot of sense.

For further information contact your local C.R. Kennedy office or email svella@crkennedy.com.au

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