19/05/2026
Before you dig, take one step that keeps everyone safe
If you’re digging at home (fence posts, planting, drainage, a deck), the safest step is the one that happens before the shovel goes in.
Underground cables, gas pipes and fibre lines aren’t always where you expect and hitting one can be dangerous and disruptive for you and your neighbours.
These photos are from last week’s safe digging workshop in Auckland, where contractors, network owners and safety teams came together to share practical ways to prevent damage before it happens.
The focus wasn’t complicated, just consistent: plan early, communicate clearly, and always confirm what’s in the ground before any machinery starts.
A genuine thanks to everyone across the industry who continues to invest time in safety education and better ways of working. It’s this kind of collaboration that helps reduce risk, protect critical infrastructure, and ultimately keep communities safe.
If you’re planning any digging, you can request your free plans from beforeUdig before you start.