Setting Out: Why Insulated Road Pins Are Becoming Best Practice

Excavation safety starts before the first dig

During site set-out, operatives can unknowingly work above buried electrical services, making the choice of equipment an important part of reducing risk. While traditional steel road pins are still common, many contractors are switching to insulated alternatives as part of a proactive approach to health and safety when working near risks of striking underground electrical cables.

Reducing the risk

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warns that damaging underground electrical cables can cause electric shock, severe burns, explosions, and fatalities. Its Avoiding Danger from Underground Services (HSG47) guidance states that excavation work should begin with careful planning, identifying buried services and implementing appropriate control measures.

Insulated road pins provide an additional engineering control by reducing electrical conductivity if accidental contact is made with a live cable. While they should never replace utility surveys, cable avoidance tools (CAT and Genny) or permit-to-dig procedures, they add another layer of protection during site marking.

Supporting compliance

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to reduce electrical risks so far as is reasonably practicable, while the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 require construction risks to be identified and controlled.

Many insulated road pins are manufactured using insulated shafts designed to BS 8020, the British Standard for insulated tools used on or near live electrical conductors. Where applicable, choosing products manufactured to this standard provides additional confidence that the insulation has been designed and tested for electrically hazardous environments.

A safer approach to site set-out

Insulated road pins are most effective when used as part of a wider safe system of work, alongside:

• Reviewing utility plans before work begins

• Locating underground services using cable avoidance equipment

• Following permit-to-dig procedures

• Using safe excavation techniques

• Selecting insulated equipment where electrical hazards have been identified

As the industry continues to prioritise risk reduction, insulated road pins are becoming a simple yet effective way to strengthen site safety. Combined with established excavation controls, they help contractors reduce risk, support compliance, and promote safer working practices from the very start of a project.

Sources:

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Avoiding Danger from Underground Services (HSG47). https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg47.htm

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Underground Services – Construction Safety. https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/underground.htm

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Excavations. https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/excavations.htm

UK Government. Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsr25.htm

UK Government. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/index.htm

British Standards Institution (BSI). BS 8020 – Insulated Tools for Working on or Near Live Electrical Conductors. https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/tools-for-live-working-specification-for-insulating-hand-tools-for-work-on-or-near-conductor-rail-systems-operating-at-voltages-up-to-1000-v-a-c-or-1500-v-d-c