We’re seeing and hearing of an increasing number of instances of undertakers finding:

1.      Someone has buried their apparatus under concrete ; or
2.      Covered over access points for valves etc; or
3.      Their apparatus has been damaged and “repaired” by parties unknown; or
4.      A combination of all of the above.

The first the undertaker is aware of this is usually when they do routine maintenance or a problem is reported with their network and they can’t locate their apparatus or find it in a condition they did not expect.

Aside from NRSWA containing a process for damage claims and diversionary works (and there being legal remedies for undertakers whose apparatus is so impacted), the wider concern here has to be with the potential safety risks of some of these actions. Any of them can pose risks to life and property.

To our mind, whilst all of the examples are serious, the most immediately dangerous is the “Bodge it Bob” repair to 3rd party apparatus. Whilst there may be occasions in which a party undertaking works might genuinely be unaware of damaging 3rd party’s apparatus, the “Bodge it Bob” repair is not one of those. “Bodge it Bob” is actively seeking to conceal damage to and repair of 3rd party’s apparatus. Whether such a repairing party has the professional skills and credentials to do the repairs to the standards of the owning 3rd party is not the issue (and is seemingly rarely the case). They are working on the apparatus of a 3rd party without that party’s knowledge or consent.

“Bodge it Bob” repair works, often using incorrect materials and fittings, to 3rd party apparatus pose immediate safety risks to the individuals undertaking them. To then conceal the damage and unauthorised (and invariably bodged) repair poses wider safety risks to any other party working in the vicinity of the apparatus and the public. OK, one might save a few quid and some time, but the safety risks for the worker doing the “repair”and those potentially created for entirely innocent 3rd parties are unconscionable.

We mention above the NRSWA processes for damage claims and diversionary works. There’s also HSG47. They’re all there for a reason, not that they will stop this type of behaviour. Most people use them. Yes, using them may cost time and/or money, but the flip side is that part of the reason they exist is to reduce the risk of someone being killed or seriously injured. The longer “Bodge it Bob” works continue, the greater the chance someone will be killed or seriously injured.

If you know a “Bodge it Bob” who does this or is instructing their teams to do this, perhaps you could gently highlight the error of their ways to them? You might also let them know that things may become a bit legally and financially unpleasant for them…