Health & Safety

How to Make Utility Digging Work Safer

The safety and productivity of utility contractors digging is set to be improved with the launch of a cable detector that mounts onto excavators.

The Ezidig, according to Cable Detection, is a world first in providing the information about the presence of buried utility services to the excavator operator.

It enables the operator to dig in confidence a safe distance away from power and phone lines, rather than having to rely on a mark out plan provided by another subcontractor.

It works on the same principle as the CAT (Cable Avoidance Tool) technology but mounts onto the excavator dipper arm with a powerful magnet.

"The fact that the device is in the operator's control overcomes a common gap in communications on site. It is often a different subcontractor altogether that is brought in to scan for buried utility services. This results in the machine operator working from information provided from a third party, with no means of verification or threat detection." - Cable Detection Marketing Manager, Yvonne Conway

February 2008