Effective risk mitigation involves a combination of engineering controls, administrative controls, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Key measures include:

• Before Work: Conducting a thorough site survey to identify all existing underground utilities and using detection equipment to pinpoint their exact location.

• During Excavation: Implementing safe systems of work, such as shoring or sloping the trench walls to prevent collapse, and establishing a safe working distance from the trench edge.

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): For any work near existing electrical infrastructure, the circuit must be de-energized, isolated, and a formal LOTO procedure must be in place.

• PPE: All workers must wear appropriate PPE, including hard hats, high-visibility clothing, steel-toed boots, and insulated gloves for any electrical work.

• Equipment: Using the correct, well-maintained equipment, such as tension-controlled winches and specialized rollers, is essential to prevent damage to the cable and injury to personnel.