Getting back into the Groove

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2025, today is the first day that many of us will get back on the tools. So just a reminder to cover off some of the essentials in your prestart/toolbox meetings before we get going again.

With crews stood down over the break it’s normal for people to have a brain fade and not be fully re-engaged in all of the safety protocols. Download and distribute a copy of our ‘Safe Digging Guide’ here and discuss it with your teams.

Remind your workers of the 5 P’s of safe excavation:

Planning - Lodge your beforeUdig enquiry at least 2 full business days ahead before starting any excavation.

Prepare - Review plans, visit the site to look for clues to underground cables and pipes like pit lids, pillars, valve hatches etc. Engage a utility locator to detect and mark out any assets onsite.

Pothole - Hand dig or use vacuum excavation by digging exploratory trial holes to physically identify cables and pipes on or near your worksite.

Protect - Physically protect any exposed or nearby cables, pipes or other assets from damage before you begin work. Use a stand over or spotter where work musty take place near exposed assets.

Proceed - Only begin work when you have completed all of the above measures, ensure you keep a accurate record of the hazards onsite and induct any newcomers to these. Hold a pre start briefing each morning identifying and reminding of the hazards.

Make sure your utility plans are still in date after the holiday break, plans typically last 28 days, if you conducted your last beforeUdig enquiry more than 28 days ago then complete another and review the latest plans for any changes.

For new work site locations make sure that you get a utility locate and mark out in preparation for your return. For the existing work site inspect to make sure the utility mark outs remain, reorder a locate and mark out if these have faded or are no longer present.

You can find a beforeUdig certified locator on your enquiry confirmation or on our website here.

For those of us in the southern hemisphere sun and heat can be particularly harsh here in New Zealand so make sure you have these practices and safety measures implemented on your work site.

Reduce sun exposure

• Avoid long periods of work in direct sunshine between the hours of 10am to 4pm where possible.
• Take regular breaks in the shade and rotate workers on jobs with the most exposure to the sun.
• Wear UPF50+-rated lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts in lighter colours with adequate air flow or ventilation to help keep your temperature down. Be careful that loose clothing cannot get snagged in machinery.
• Fit neck and full brim protectors to hard hats.
• Wear close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses and ensure the AS/NZ 1337 standard is on the glasses.

Wear sunscreen

Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF50.

Ensure the AS/NZ 2604 standard is on the label and the product has not reached its expiration date, replace if you are unsure.

Apply at least 15 minutes before going outside.

Reapply at least every two hours.

Keep 1litre or larger in an easy to access location for all workers

Keep hydrated

• Drink plenty of water regularly throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• Keep a water bottle nearby and drink before you are thirsty.
• Drink 150 to 200ml of water every 15 to 20 minutes, rather than consume a 1-litre drink now and again.
• Most people need about 3 to 4 litres of water per day, but if you’re working in all-day heat, you will likely need more.
• Drinking water is preferable to drinking coffee, tea or other soft drinks.
• Avoid energy drinks, large amounts of caffeine and sugar can lead to dehydration.

Warning signs

Make sure everyone knows what signs to look out for when they, or someone they are working with could be overheating.

• Feeling weak or dizzy.
• Darker coloured urine.
• Pounding or rapid pulse.
• Loss of balance, fainting.
• Headaches.
• Muscle cramps.
• Mood changes or confusion.
• Clammy or sweaty skin.

If heat stress or exhaustion is not dealt with quickly, it can progress to heat stroke. At its worst, this can be life-threatening.

So keep an eye on the weather reports and look out for your mates.