Immediate site hazards
Concrete can conceal electrical services, water lines, tendons and dense reinforcement. Cutting into these elements may expose workers to energy, uncontrolled release or falling material and can affect areas well beyond the opening.
- Electrical or pressurised-service strike
- Post-tension tendon release
- Loss of required reinforcement
- Unexpected cracking or local instability
Programme and commercial effects
After an incident, work may stop for investigation, redesign and repair. Access equipment and labour remain mobilised while the client, contractor and consultants determine responsibility and a safe recovery method.
- Delayed approvals and revised structural details
- Repair, testing and reinstatement
- Disruption to tenants or operational assets
- Insurance and contractual consequences
A proportionate investigation strategy
Scanning scope should match the risk. Define the work area, review available information and survey enough surrounding concrete to interpret patterns. Where results remain uncertain, use engineering review and controlled verification rather than assuming the area is clear.
Project note
Guidance is the starting point. The site determines the method.
Every structure, access route and operating environment is different. Final engineering, approvals and controls should be based on verified project information and a site-specific assessment.
