Northern Powergrid, the company that delivers power to 3.9 million homes and business across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is encouraging companies, contractors and individuals that carry out construction work to use its SafeDig system to work safely around underground electricity cables.

Accidently hitting an electricity cable can cause serious injury or death, changing lives forever. Even if injury is avoided, hitting a cable can easily cause a power cut for hundreds of people whilst repairs are carried out.

Northern Powergrid’s Records Applications Manager, Ian Foster, said: “Many people never think to check what’s under the ground before they start digging, but even if you are only doing a small job or just digging in your garden, checking where utility cables and pipe are located is vital.

“Our SafeDig system is so easy to use; simply select the area of our network you’re interested in and usually within just a few minutes you will be able to download the data you need for free.

“No matter why you’re digging and no matter how small the hole - even if you’re just planting a tree or putting in a fence post - use our SafeDig service first.”

Visit northernpowergrid.com/services-directory/safedig to register for the free SafeDig service to download a copy of Northern Powergrid’s cable records for where you’re working.