Excavation Safety Guide
Adelaide North
Essential safety information for anyone hiring earthmoving equipment in Adelaide. From trench safety to underground services — know the risks before you dig.
Before You Dig — Call 1100
Before any excavation, contact Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) on 1100 or visit byda.com.au. This free service maps underground services (power, gas, water, telecommunications) on your property. Excavating without checking can result in serious injury, service disruption, and significant fines. Allow 2–3 business days for plans to be issued.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
When operating or working near hired machinery, always wear: steel-capped boots, high-visibility clothing, hearing protection (when near running machinery), safety glasses (when cutting, breaking, or working in dusty conditions), and sunscreen and a hat for outdoor work. Stanford Hire provides a safety briefing on delivery — we will not leave until you are comfortable operating the machine safely.
Trench Safety & Collapse Prevention
Trench collapses are one of the most dangerous excavation hazards. Any trench deeper than 1.2m must be shored or battered to a safe angle. In Adelaide's reactive clays and sandy soils, collapses can occur without warning. Never enter a trench deeper than waist height without shoring. For deep drainage or service trenching, hire trench shoring equipment or engage a licensed contractor. The 45-degree rule: maintain at least a 45-degree angle of repose from the bottom of any excavation to the nearest footing or structure.
Machine Stability on Slopes
Never operate an excavator on a slope exceeding 25 degrees. On sloping ground, always travel uphill with the load, never downhill. Track machines (like our mini loaders and excavators) have better slope capability than wheeled equipment, but still require caution. Always bench the working area — create level platforms for the machine to sit on. If the work area cannot be made stable and safe, stop and engage a qualified contractor.
Underground Services & Utility Detection
Beyond the 1100 BYDA service, be aware of: private services not on plans (old septic pipes, irrigation lines, underground power to sheds), SA Water mains (especially in older Port Adelaide and Elizabeth areas), gas service lines (particularly in inner-north suburbs), NBN and telecommunications cables (often shallow, 300–500mm). If you hit a service, stop immediately, evacuate the area if it is gas or electrical, and call 000 (emergency) or 13 13 66 (SA Power Networks emergencies).
Overhead Hazards & Power Lines
Always check for overhead power lines before operating machinery. The minimum safe distance from overhead power lines is: 3 metres for low-voltage lines (up to 33kV), 6 metres for high-voltage lines (above 33kV), and 8 metres for transmission lines. When working near power lines, use a spotter to guide the operator. If you contact a power line with the machine, stay in the cab, warn others to keep clear, and call SA Power Networks on 13 13 66 immediately.
Safe Lifting & Slinging
When using excavators or loaders to lift materials (pipes, sleepers, concrete), ensure: the load does not exceed the machine's rated lifting capacity, slings and chains are rated for the load and in good condition, the load is balanced and secured before lifting, no-one walks under a suspended load, and the operator never lifts and swings simultaneously with personnel in the swing radius. Never exceed the machine plate or manual rating; if the rating is not confirmed, do not lift the load.
Working Near Structures & Footings
When excavating near existing footings, retaining walls, or structures, maintain the angle of repose rule: never excavate below a 45-degree line drawn from the bottom of the footing outward. If you need to excavate deeper or closer, engage a structural engineer — undermining footings can cause wall collapse. In older Adelaide suburbs (Prospect, Enfield, Port Adelaide), original footings may be shallow and vulnerable. Always notify neighbours if your excavation could affect their property.
Hot Work & Fire Safety
South Australia has strict fire restrictions, particularly during the Fire Danger Season (typically November to April). When operating machinery on total fire ban days, check restrictions with the CFS. Equipment with engines (excavators, loaders, tippers) must have: a compliant spark arrestor, a fire extinguisher (minimum 0.9kg dry chemical), and no hot exhaust in contact with vegetation. Carry a knapsack spray or water fire extinguisher when working in grassy or rural areas.
Environmental & Erosion Control
When excavating, you are responsible for preventing sediment runoff into stormwater drains. Install sediment fencing on the low side of your work area. Never allow excavated material to wash into street drains — Adelaide's stormwater flows directly to the Gulf St Vincent. If you are working near a watercourse (Dry Creek, Gawler River, Port River), additional permits may be required from the EPA and your local council. Contaminated soil (common in industrial areas like Wingfield and Gillman) must be tested and disposed of at a licensed facility.
Emergency Contacts
Life-Threatening Emergency
000
Police, Fire, Ambulance
SA Power Networks — Electrical Emergency
13 13 66
Fallen power lines, electrical faults
Before You Dig Australia (BYDA)
1100
Underground service plans
Stanford Hire — Active Hire Machine Fault
0405 227 969
Stop, shut down the machine and call immediately
Need Equipment? We Brief You on Safety
Every Stanford Hire delivery includes a personal safety briefing. We will not leave until you are confident operating the machine safely. For equipment choice, access and delivery questions, use the Stanford Hire assistant for an instant answer.