It's National Safe Digging Week!

This initiative was established in 2019 to highlight the dangers of digging ‘blind’ and raise awareness of the importance of searching before you dig. As the safe digging community continues to grow at a rapid pace, it is more important than ever that industry professionals, farmers, consumers, and anyone else undertaking digging projects, understand how to work safely around the UK’s underground infrastructure of pipes and cables.

Always search before you dig

We operate over 82,000 miles of pipeline as the largest gas distribution network in the UK. Last year saw another record number of enquiries through LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD) for works around our assets, with 1.8 million searches undertaken in our geographical region, and over 1.5 million of these enquiries affecting our assets.

More searches mean that more people are carrying out works with a copy of our plans, however from this point we are heavily reliant on third parties working safely in accordance with our Specification for Safe Working in the Vicinity of Cadent Assets.

Why is it important?

This dedicated week falls during the UK’s busiest time for digging, with July statistically the highest risk month for excavating. The aim is to help prevent people from striking any underground asset at any time, but this is even more important at a time when projects and excavation work is at its peak.

National Safe Digging Week is a crucial reminder of the dangers of digging ‘blind’ and ensuring safety when working underground. However, even with the best intentions, mistakes can occur leading to damages.  

Latest research from LSBUD into safe digging practices shows that there are almost 1,000 people a month panic searching on Google after hitting an underground asset. Not only does this show that people are not searching before putting a spade in the ground, but they also don’t know what to do once the accident has happened. That means approximately 12,000 people each year are putting themselves in danger via unsafe digging practices, and they are accentuating this risk by having no idea what to do next.

What is LinesearchBeforeUDig (LSBUD)?

LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD) is a free to use service that any individual can use to check their works against over 150 asset owners’ utility assets.

As the network operator, we are here to help excavators work safely near our assets. This means:

• Promptly providing asset location plans and safety guidelines when requested (often instantly via LSBUD)

• Offering expert advice through our Plant Protection Team for works near critical pipelines or if standard guidelines cannot be followed

• Facilitating any necessary pipeline diversions or safety monitoring for high-risk projects (with proper notice).

Always report damage

If you hit a gas asset, whether the damage is visible or not, or in the event of an emergency, call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999*. 

If a Cadent asset is damaged, even slightly - and even if no gas leak has occurred - then the following precautions should be taken immediately: 

• Shut down all plant and machinery and extinguish any potential sources of ignition 

• Evacuate all personnel from the vicinity of the asset immediately  

• Notify Cadent using the free 24-hour emergency telephone number 0800 111 999* 

• Ensure no-one approaches the asset 

• Do not try to stop any leaking gas 

The below video plays out true events, fortunately not a true story, from situations that have occurred over the past year. 

We all live and work in the communities we serve - don’t have the same regrets as Mark and take any risks.

Our podcast launch

Welcome to a new series exploring the risks, realities, and responses to third-party interference across the Cadent network. Hosted by Geoff Radley - Head of Engineering and Dan Mee - Principal Integrity Engineer, we have launched a new series exploring the risks, realities, and responses to third-party interference.

This series dives deep into the world of damage prevention, highlighting how uncontrolled third-party activities can endanger people, infrastructure, and the environment. The first episode, joined by Richard Broome - Managing Director at Line Search Before You Dig, sets the scene for what’s to come.

Visit our webpage for more information on how to dig safely - Digging Safely - Cadent Gas Ltd.

Future Energy Networks (FEN)  | Utility Strike Avoidance Group (USAG) | LSBUD (Linesearch BeforeUdig) | IGEM - Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers | Cadent Gas Limited | Health and Safety Executive | HAUC(UK)  | UKOPA

#NSDW2025

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.