When underground cables are damaged, people can be killed and injured by electric shock, electrical arcs (causing an explosion), and flames. This often results in severe burns to hands, face and body, even if protective clothing is being worn. Damage can be caused when a cable is:
- cut through by a sharp object such as the point of a tool; or
- crushed by a heavy object or powerful machine.
Cables that have been previously damaged but left unreported and unrepaired can cause incidents.
More information can be found here: Underground Services
Danger from Underground Services: HSE Guidance HSG47
