The obligation
Before excavation work starts, the person managing or controlling the workplace must take all reasonable steps to get current underground essential services information.
This includes information for areas next to the excavation, and all of it must be taken into account. When excavating in a public place, the PCBU must take all reasonable steps to identify every electrical cable present. The information must be made available to workers, the principal contractor and subcontractors, and be readily available for inspection. Keep it until the excavation work is finished or, if a notifiable incident relates to the excavation, for two years after that incident.
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- What
- Before excavation work starts, the person managing or controlling the workplace must take all reasonable steps to get current underground essential services information.
- Source
- safework.nsw.gov.au
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Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Obtain and keep underground essential services information is a WHS requirement set out in Demolition work (NSW). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). The relevant provision is Demolition work > Essential services.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Obtain and keep underground essential services information is a WHS obligation under Demolition work (NSW). In short, Before excavation work starts, the person managing or controlling the workplace must take all reasonable steps to get current underground essential services information.
What changed recently?
Obtain and keep underground essential services information was last updated on 11 October 2026.
