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Working near underground utility cables

Underground electric cables are a hidden danger. Unlike working around overhead lines, workers are unable to see if they are getting too close to a cable. They must rely on an underground cable locator (locates) to assist with locating buried power lines and other underground cables.

Safe digging practices must be adhered to when dealing with underground cables and construction to keep everyone safe.



Make safety a top priority

Understand the potential hazards and how to prevent power line contact.
Book a free safety consult (on-site or virtual) or power line safet​y awareness session for your team. 
Book now​

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Locate buried ​utilities

Make sure all buried utilities in the area have been located before digging begins.
Locate buried utilities

Dig safely

What you need to know if your dig zone is near underground power lines.

Dig safely​

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)

Be aware of the risks and request a safety consult.
Learn about HDD​​​


  Locate buried utilities

Prior to any excavation, make sure all buried utilities in the area have been located.

  • Click before you dig or call Utility Safety Partners at 1 (800) 242-3447. Locates can take one to two weeks. Please ensure these timelines are included in your work schedule.
  • Ensure that your work site (digging area) is reflected accurately on the locate ticket.
  • After processing your request, Utility Safety Partners will notify registered underground facility owners of your project. Their representatives will be sent to the worksite to locate and mark underground utilities with colored locate markers, stakes, flags or paint.
  • Electrical lines will be marked red, but it's important to know the dig safe color codes, and the meanings of all the different color codes for all underground hazards.
  • Note: Private utilities are not coordinated by Utility Safety Partners. It's the contractor's responsibility to locate secondary services on commercial, multi-family and industrial sites.

​ Marking the location of buried utilities is not optional.

It's required by the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, the Alberta Electrical Utility Code, and the Alberta Pipeline Regulation.

Online utility hazard awareness sessions

​Learn how to work safely around power, water and drainage lines by taking this 25 minute training session​.​​​​​​

Get utility locates before digging

Call Utility Safety Partners. Locates will take one to two weeks. Please ensure these timelines are included in your work schedule.

Ph: 1 (800) 242-3447
Website: utilitysafety.ca

Dig safely

Below is information on how to dig near underground power lines or you can download ​​our PDF on excavating near underground power lines.
Download PDF​

​Electrical contacts

Fire/Threat to life call 911
Otherwise, call EPCOR Power Emergencies
Ph: ​​(780) 412-4500

Distribution cables

  • No mechanical excavation is allowed within 1 metre of the locate marks for underground distribution power lines. Workers must hand-expose or hydrovac all utilities within this zone. Download PDF on how to safely excavate near an underground power line.​​
  • For underground distribution lines only, once the line is exposed, you can use mechanical digging equipment to dig near the line. Always use a spotter to make sure your equipment stays at least 30 cm (1') away from the line.
  • The depth of buried utility lines and number of cables will vary. Freezing conditions in the fall and winter followed by the spring melt can impact the grading of soil. As a result, the soil can compact and cause power lines to migrate to shallower ground. Use caution and ensure the hand-dig zone is large enough to expose all cables in your dig area.
  • If the dig site requires you to suspend large sections of distribution cable (greater than 2 metres), notify EPCOR's Power Emergencies at (780) 412-4500 and they will put you in touch with a Safety Codes Officer. The cable may have to be de-energized or supported to prevent physical damage and ensure your safety. 
  • Be aware that high voltage equipment (such as a transformer or switching cubicle) has a ground grid around it that may not be marked by locators. Maintain a 2 metre safe zone around this equipment.
  • Distribution cables must be covered with a minimum 30 cm of sand prior to backfilling procedures.
  • For your safety do not handle or manipulate any underground cable. This may cause the cable to fail which may result in injury or death.

Transmission cables

If your proposed dig zone is within 30 metres of underground transmission lines, the following message should appear on your locate sheet: ""CONFLICT" NO GROUND DISTURBANCE UNTIL CLEARED BY EPCOR TRANSMISSION. ARRANGE FOR SUPERVISION". 

  • Absolutely no ground disturbance of any kind (hand, mechanical or hydrovac) is to take place within this 5 metres of a transmission cable before your work is cleared by EPCOR Transmission. EPCOR Transmission can be contacted at the phone number listed on your locate sheet.
  • For underground transmission cables, contractors shall follow the direction provided by an EPCOR Transmission representative.
  • The depth of buried utility lines and number of cables will vary. Freezing conditions in the fall and winter followed by the spring melt can impact the grading of soil. As a result, the soil can compact and cause power lines to migrate to shallower ground. Use caution and ensure the hand-dig zone is large enough to expose all cables in your dig area.
  • If your work requires an underground transmission line be exposed more  than 5 metres, EPCOR Transmission is to be contacted at the phone number listed on your locate sheet 30 days before the work is to start.
  • Transmission cables may only be backfilled under the direct supervision of EPCOR Transmission and EPCOR's applicable standards. If you require specific instruction from EPCOR for backfill requirements, contact EPCOR Transmission at the phone number listed on your locate sheet.
  • For your safety do not handle, manipulate or walk on any underground EPCOR Transmission cable. This may cause the cable to fail which may result in injury or death.​

Safe excavation requirements in Alberta

Find more information on the safe excavation requirements in Alberta in these sections of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 32 Excavating and Tunnelling:

  • Disturbing the ground (Section 441)
  • Locating buried facilities (Section 447)
  • Exposing buried facilities (Section 448)
  • Consult the Alberta Electrical and Communication Utility Code for excavation work in the vicinity of underground power lines (Section 2-020).

Questions about digging around underground power lines?

Contact EPCOR at (780) 412-4500 and ask for a referral to a Safety Codes Officer or fill out our online form​ for a safety consult or awareness session. ​​

Horizontal directional drilling

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) or horizontal directional boring is often used for installing infrastructure such as cable, ducts, water, gas and telecommunications lines, particularly in heavily developed industrial and urban areas.

Horizontal drilling has some potential advantages, including cost-reduction; shorter completion times; and less disruption to traffic, property, and the environment. However, the risk to workers in the event of a power cable strike is high. If there is a cable strike, the current will travel from the point of contact to the equipment. The equipment itself (and the ground around it) has the potential to become energized for up to 10 metres, endangering anyone nearby.

​​​​​​​​​​Book a safety consultation for your site! ​

How we can help you work safe

If you are working within 7 metres of our overhead power equipment or digging within 1 metre of underground distribution power equipment, we have tools to help your team do it safely.
Find out how we can he​lp​
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Disclaimer

This webpage provides information regarding safe work practices in relation to EPCOR power facilities. Employers and contractors have responsibilities under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (Alberta OHS) Act, Code, and Regulation. When there is a conflict between this document and any bylaws, legislation, or regulation, the relevant law prevails. Any reliance placed on this information is strictly at your own risk. EPCOR does not assume any responsibility or liability for any action, loss or damage that arises out of, or is in connection with the information contained in this webpage.

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