Watch the video version here: YouTube Episode 189 of the Earthworks Hub PodcastIn this episode, I wanted to talk about something nearly every earthmoving contractor has either experienced, nearly experienced, or knows someone who has — hitting an underground service.Power, gas, water, sewer, fibre, telecommunications — one minute you’re digging normally, and the next minute the whole job can change.I went through 10 things I think every contractor should know, including what to do immediately after a strike, who to call, how to find the relevant network or utility provider, what to do while you’re waiting, who might be responsible for the damage, what happens if the service wasn’t on the plans, what the repair could cost, whether insurance will cover you, and how to protect yourself before you start digging.We also had plenty of real stories come through from people watching live — gas mains, fibre, water mains, services that weren’t where the plans said they were, and situations where the operator had done everything they could and still ended up hitting something.One of the biggest things I wanted to get across is that Before You Dig Australia plans are only part of the process. You still need to understand the plans, locate services properly, pothole where required, keep records, and know what your insurance policy actually expects from you before you start excavating.We also talk about public liability insurance, why your machinery insurance may not cover damage to underground assets, how important it is to keep evidence such as BYDA plans, locator reports, photos and SWMS, and why contractors should be checking their contracts before accepting responsibility for underground services. Probably the biggest takeaway from this episode is this:The best protection usually isn’t what you do after you hit something — it’s what you do before the bucket goes into the ground.Know what’s there, know who owns it, know what your insurance actually covers, keep your records, and if something does go wrong, stop work, make the area safe and get the right people involved.If you're operating machinery, running a contracting business or thinking about going out on your own, there's plenty of useful information in this conversation.**Earthworks Hub – Australia's Earthmoving Industry Platform**Visit Earthworks Hub to explore Work Leads, the Business Directory, operator profiles, Marketplace, Tip Sites, Academy resources and Earthworks Hub Membership.Proudly supported by Earthworks Hub partnersView all partners: https://earthworkshub.com.au/partnersExplore Earthworks HubWebsite: https://earthworkshub.com.auTools & templates: https://earthworkshub.com.au/tools-and-shop/Join Our social platform and discussions: https://earthworkshub.com.au/communityConnect with contractors and suppliers, browse the business directory, access practical templates and calculators, learn through the Earthworks Hub Academy, and join Australia's dedicated online community for the earthmoving industry.Subscribe to the channel for more earthmoving podcasts, machinery content, site visits, industry discussions and interviews.#EarthworksHub #Earthmoving #Excavators #ConstructionAustralia #HeavyEquipment #EarthmovingAustralia #PodcastJoin me live every Sunday at 8 PM Melbourne time on Instagram for The Sunday Live Show.
