Why
SureDuct?
Why use SureDuct?
SureDuct protects your people and your organisation against:
The risk of fatal or life-changing injuries caused by live cables
Damage to any kind of cable where ducting must be cut to gain access
Service downtime caused by cable damage
The cost of repairs to damaged cables
The reputational damage caused by service outages
Who uses SureDuct?
SureDuct is designed for use by any worker who needs to cut through ducting to access cables for maintenance or repair.
It was first developed for use in the power supply industry as a safety measure to protect contractors from the risks of potentially fatal or life-changing electric shocks while carrying out their work.
It is also ideal for use in other industries where cable maintenance is required – for example in telecoms to protect fibre and broadband cables from damage.
We can provide SureDuct kits directly to DNOs (Distribution Network Operators) so they can be rolled out to contractors across the workforce. They can also be supplied to other operators, contractors, and individuals as required.
SureDuct is already in use around the UK, including at UK Power Networks, one of the UK’s leading DNOs, which maintains the electricity networks across London, the South East and East of England.
The death and injury risks of cable damage
Cutting through ducting to reach cables carries an inherent risk. Traditional cutting tools rely on the contractor estimating the depth of the duct and stopping before the cable is contacted.
SureDuct takes all the guesswork out of it – limiting the depth of the cut so it safely exposes the cable without the risk of the tool making contact.
The financial consequences of cable damage
Accidental damage to underground cables is a costly headache for utilities. Research by the University of Birmingham put the average cost of a “strike” at £970 for electrical cables and £400 for telecoms. Many of these incidents are accidental strikes, where excavators unintentionally dig up pipes or cables. However, hand tools were identified as the most common cause of utility strikes, and a significant proportion of these are attempts to cut through a duct that result in cable damage because the cutting tool has gone too deep.
Researchers added that the true costs of cable damage and repair following an incident are much higher – including the costs of contractors to assess and repair the damage and the impact of traffic disruption. That’s before we even consider the reputational impact caused by the downtime of services and the potential loss of income from customers
who change providers.
By minimising the risks of cable damage, SureDuct saves costs, time and reduces the possibility of reputational damage to utility providers and contractors.
“The safety of our employees and the public is our top priority and we are always looking for new and innovative ways to further increase the safety of our operations. SureDuct helps our teams to quickly and safely open ducts in the ground with electricity cables running through them.”
Luke Perkins, UKPN
“When underground cables are damaged, people can be killed and injured by electric shock, electrical arcs (causing an explosion), and flames. This often results in severe burns to hands, face and body, even if protective clothing is being worn.”
Health and Safety Executive
“In addition to the health and safety consequences of operatives striking buried cables or pipes, there are numerous other impacts that can occur as a result of the damage.”
Causes, impacts and costs of strikes on buried utility assets, University of Birmingham