Digging and Excavation Work

Digging and Excavation Work

Before starting any digging work, contact us to find out if there are any electricity cables in the vicinity of your excavation site.

This information can be provided to you in a map format from our Central Site office.

Central Site is a one stop shop for contractors or individuals who intend to carry out excavation work.

What information will I need to request a map?

To request a map you'll need a site plan or area map of your excavation site and your contact details including a postal address.

How to get a map

You can email your request including your site map to dig@esb.ie.
Call 1850 928 960 or +353 01 8582060 or
Fax 01 6388169
Alternatively, you can make a postal request to:

Central Site
ESB Networks
St Margaret’s Road
Finglas
Dublin 11

Ireland

We will send the map to you within ten days.

Note: In emergency cases ESB Networks’ Central Site can provide maps for collection. Please call 1850 928 960 or +353 1 8582060 for more details. This service operates Monday to Friday only.

Note: Maps can be provided digitally. Please contact central site for details on the terms and conditions of this service.

Job Aid (PDF | 1MB )

This Job Aid provides information on Safe System of Working for Digging and apply to all work that involves penetrating the ground at or below surface level. Always be aware that the depth of cover may be very shallow and that there may be no bricks, warning tape or other protection in place. Always assume that there will be more services than you expect to find.

Electrical Hazards (PDF)

The guidelines contained in this document apply to all work that involves penetrating the ground at or below surface level. This includes, among others, trenching/excavation, trenchless techniques (moling, pipe ramming, horizontal directional drilling etc.), sheet piling, etc.

HSA Code of Practice

For a comprehensive understanding of the risks involved with underground electricity cables, please read the H.S.A. Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services.