National Safe Digging Week 2023 - the role suction excavation can play

I first began working with suction excavation technology in 2008 when the adoption of the method in the UK was pretty low, at least compared to now. I was very familiar with the concept as my Dad had been working in the industry for a number of years but I was still surprised to realise that many key decision makers were opting for more traditional ways of excavating.

The fact that this week we are marking the fourth National Safe Digging Week shows how much technology has helped us advance the safety of digging work; LSBUD (Linesearch BeforeUdig) and their supporters are doing great work in terms of promoting thorough searching before excavation starts.

Of course, my perspective also extends to the way that excavation is conducted. Due to some limitations that remain with the data detailing where underground pipes and lines are, the two-fold approach of using suction or vacuum excavation after the search is a really sound way to guarantee the safety of the dig, avoiding underground utilities which can lead to costly repairs and potentially injuries.

Suction excavation is a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional methods. It uses a high-powered vacuum to loosen and remove soil, without the need for traditional machinery. This almost eliminates the risk of damage to underground utilities, and it can also be used in areas where traditional methods are not possible.

In addition to being safer, it is also more efficient. It can excavate large areas of spoil quickly and easily, and it produces less waste. This can save a lot of time, money and risk on construction projects. It’s also, in the main, less disruptive because any spoil can be removed from the site in the excavator container, reducing the need for traffic management.

If the promotion around National Safe Digging Week has led you to think about a safer and more efficient way to excavate, suction excavation is a great option. It is a safe and versatile tool that can be used for a variety of projects, and it can help you to work safer, reduce risk and save time and money.