Underground Cable Installation — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for the installation of underground electrical cables including trenching, conduit installation, cable pulling, joint and termination works, and reinstatement for low voltage and high voltage systems.
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Underground electrical cable installation combines the hazards of excavation and trenching with the specific risks of electrical work, and is HRCW under Schedule 3 of the model WHS Regulations where trenching exceeds 1.5 metres depth (risk of engulfment and collapse) or where work is performed near live underground services. A SWMS is required before work begins, and must address both the civil and electrical elements of the work.
All electrical installation work must be performed by a licensed electrician. For HV cable jointing and termination (systems above 1,000 V AC), additional endorsements or HV authority may be required depending on the jurisdiction. Cable jointing is a specialised skill and major cable joints should be performed by a qualified cable jointer with manufacturer-specific training for the joint type and cable voltage class.
The most significant hazard in underground cable installation — before any electrical work begins — is striking an existing live service during excavation. In Australia, dial before you dig (1100 or dialbefore.com.au) must be contacted before any excavation to obtain underground service plans. These plans are indicative only and do not guarantee the location of all services. Safe excavation within 500 mm of indicated service locations requires manual excavation (potholing) to confirm actual service positions. Striking a live HV cable with an excavator bucket has caused multiple fatalities in Australia; the consequences of breaching a gas main or water main are also severe.
Cable installation in trenches must comply with the relevant network operator's civil design standards and AS/NZS 3000 for cable depths, separation from other services, marker tape, and route marking. Backfill and compaction must meet local authority standards.
Customise this template with the dial before you dig enquiry reference number, the cable voltage class and size, the trench dimensions and shoring requirements, and the joint and termination specifications. This SWMS applies in all Australian jurisdictions.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Excavation deeper than 1.5 metres
- •Work on or near energised electrical installations
- •Work near live buried services
Risk Assessment
1.Service location and trenching
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable strike on existing live underground electrical service | Catastrophic | Obtain DBYD plans for all services in the excavation corridor. Perform cable and pipe detection using a calibrated CAT4+ locator across the full trench width before any excavation commences. Mark all located services on the ground surface. Hand-dig or vacuum-excavate within 300 mm of any located electrical service — no mechanical excavation within this exclusion zone. If an unlocated cable is encountered during digging, stop immediately, move workers clear, and contact the relevant electricity distributor before continuing. Never cut or move a cable assumed to be de-energised without formal verification from the network owner. | Low | Licensed Electrician / Site Supervisor |
| Trench collapse in unstable soils | High | Assess soil type at each trench location. For trenches exceeding 1.5 m depth in unstable soils, install hydraulic trench shields or shoring before workers enter. Bench or batter sides in granular soils at a minimum 1:1 slope from the base. Keep spoil minimum 600 mm from trench edge. No worker to stand beneath a vertical trench wall exceeding 1.5 m depth without shoring in place. Inspect trench walls each morning and after rainfall. | Moderate | Site Supervisor |
2.Conduit installation and cable pulling
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual handling injury during cable drum handling and cable pulling | Moderate | Cable drums must be transported and positioned using a cable drum stand, forklift, or crane — not rolled by workers. Position the cable drum on a powered cable drum roller or spindle before pulling. Use a mechanical cable puller (tugger or capstan) for cables exceeding 50 m pull or where cable weight exceeds 20 kg per person. Workers must wear leather gloves when handling cable. Do not allow cable to run through bare hands — use cable guides or rollers. Conduct a manual handling risk assessment for the specific cable weight and pull distance before commencing. | Low | All Workers / Site Supervisor |
| Conduit glue vapour inhalation in confined trench | Moderate | Use low-VOC PVC conduit solvent cement where available. When gluing conduit in trenches or confined areas, ensure adequate ventilation before commencing. If natural ventilation is insufficient, use a forced air ventilation fan to maintain fresh air supply at the work face. Workers must not work in a confined trench with poor ventilation while applying PVC cement — maintain atmospheric monitoring if required. Wear a half-face respirator with organic vapour cartridge when applying conduit solvent in enclosed conditions. Comply with confined space entry requirements if applicable. | Low | All Workers |
3.Cable jointing and termination
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shock during cable termination on live switchboard | Catastrophic | Do not terminate cables on any energised switchboard, panel, or pillar. Apply LOTO to the full length of the circuit including all switchboards, pillars, and distribution boards. Verify isolation using the Test-Prove-Test method on both ends of the cable before termination commences. For HV cable termination, engage an authorised HV cable jointer holding current HV access authority from the relevant distribution network operator. All HV work requires a formal switching schedule issued by the distribution network operator. | Low | Licensed Electrician / HV Cable Jointer |
| Torch or heat gun fire during heat-shrink joint application | Moderate | Use an electric heat gun in preference to open flame torch for heat-shrink application wherever practicable. If a gas torch is required, inspect connections and hose for leaks before use. Keep a 2 kg CO2 fire extinguisher within 3 m of the jointing location. Remove all flammable materials (cable drum wrapping, cardboard, grass) from a 1 m radius of the joint before applying heat. Never leave a lit torch unattended. Turn off gas at the cylinder when not actively being used. | Low | Cable Jointer / Electrician |
4.Cable testing before energisation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High voltage from insulation resistance testing injuring workers | High | Insulation resistance testing uses test voltages up to 5 kV (HV megger). Before applying test voltage, confirm all personnel are clear of the cable under test and any equipment connected to it at both ends. Post 'TESTING IN PROGRESS — DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE' warning signs at both ends. Connect earth at the far end of the cable before disconnecting after testing — stored charge can remain on the cable. Use a CAT IV rated megohmmeter with test leads in good condition. Discharge the cable via an earthing lead after testing before disconnecting test equipment. | Low | Licensed Electrician |
5.Backfill, marker tape installation, and reinstatement
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable damage from improper backfill compaction | Moderate | Backfill to minimum 100 mm above cable(s) with clean, sifted sand (or cable bedding material as per AS/NZS 3000 and network owner requirements) before placing marker tape. Install continuous orange cable marker tape reading 'DANGER — ELECTRIC CABLE BELOW' minimum 100 mm below finished surface level. Compact backfill in maximum 200 mm lifts using hand tamper within 300 mm of cable — no plate compactor within the immediate cable zone. Record 'as-installed' GPS coordinates of cable alignment and depths and issue to the client and asset owner. | Low | Site Supervisor / All Workers |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.