Permit to Dig (Ground Penetrations > 200mm)
When is a permit required?
A permit to dig (excavate or penetrate) the ground would be required when you are going to dig, excavate or penetrate the ground more than 200mm below its current surface level.
When a permit is not required (Extended NOTE)
When penetrating or scraping/digging LESS than 200mm is required to take place, a Permit to Dig is NOT required. However, it is very important that you still observe safe operating practices. You MUST follow the below:
- Access relevant service drawings for area of work.
- Scan ground to identify services or potential unknown services.
- Always have a spotter when using mechanical diggers/devices to identify any unknowns that the operator may not see.
- Have adequate RAMS in place for the tasks to be carried out.
If you identify any unexpected services, you MUST take photos and report these to the BIM Team so drawings can be updated.
If a service strike takes place, please follow the Permit to Dig process for reporting this emergency and making safe, as required.
Risks and Hazards
There are many risks and hazards involved with carrying out excavation or penetration of the ground as there are underground services across our campuses.
- Water
- Gas
- Electricity (high and low voltage)
- Earthing cages
- District Heating
- Fibre network cables
- Drainage
- Service ducts
- High Pressure systems
- Collapse of ground around excavations
These can all cause different issues if struck or damaged during works, including gas leaks, flooding, release of pressurised water or gases and total loss of power to buildings across campus.
Injuries to individuals involved can be serious or potentially FATAL in some instances.
IMPORTANT: Due to the risk to buried infrastructure, ground spikes are not to be used at the 果冻传媒, for any works, these specifically include setting out for construction works and securing temporary structures, such as inflatables or marquees, but are not limited to these. Alternative means should be used, such as weighted anchors or above ground plumb lines.
What Next?
You will need to 鈥�
- obtain underground service drawings from estates.bimteam@warwick.ac.uk for the area of the proposed works.
- send the blank PE1 Form to the contractor/UoW works controller to complete.
- request job specific RAMS from the contractor/UoW works controller.
- request evidence of competence for those carrying out the works.
- email permitrequest@warwick.ac.uk to request a Permit to Dig meeting, attaching all of the above information.
A 15 minute meeting will be set up with the Permit to Dig group where the proposed work will be discussed. You must attend this meeting along with the contractor/UoW works controller. If the work is approved you will need to apply for a Permit to Dig, attaching all the above documents along with the approved PE1 form, with at least 10 working days鈥� notice.
Once the permit has been processed and approved, it will be issued via email to the Permit Requester.