UK Underground Asset Safety Inquiry Service Signs Agreement with Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to Promote Safe Excavation

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The UK underground asset safety inquiry service LSBUD (Linesearch Before U Dig) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to collaborate on improving safe excavation practices.

The agreement aims to enhance the safety of street works personnel and reduce accidental damage to critical underground infrastructure in the UK, as DSIT is responsible for establishing the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR).

The Memorandum recognizes LSBUD's functions in risk analysis, communication exchange, and work management within the safe excavation process, and states that NUAR does not intend to replace or duplicate LSBUD's existing services. LSBUD is currently collaborating with the Ordnance Survey, which operates NUAR on behalf of the government.

The two services will complement each other, with LSBUD driving the NUAR vision and working closely with DSIT to ensure efficient use of infrastructure data. The Memorandum also covers the Ordnance Survey to ensure interoperability.

The agreement was first announced at LSBUD's National Loss Prevention Day and unveiled as part of National Safe Digging Week. This awareness campaign is dedicated to promoting excavation safety and preventing damage to underground infrastructure, with this year's theme being "The Power of Collaboration."

Richard Broome, Managing Director of LSBUD, said: "We welcome this agreement and look forward to working with the Ordnance Survey and the government. This Memorandum is a huge relief for our safe excavation community, and significant progress has been made, including organizing the first planned industry workshop. For us, this is not about competition, but about safety. It has been that way in the past, and it will remain so in the future. By focusing on data sharing, integration, and collaboration, we can drive industry safety forward. This year's theme, 'The Power of Collaboration,' is very fitting and echoes our ambition to protect people's safety. It is an honor to have OS and DSIT join us on this journey and make a tangible impact together."