Earthworks Contractors

Singapore has a reliable supply of electricity, among the best in the world. EMA regulates the electricity and piped natural gas sectors and is committed to maintaining the country’s high standards for the delivery of electricity to consumers. A large part of this involves ensuring that earthworks are done in a way that avoids damaging electricity cables and affecting supply to consumers.

Contractors are required to obtain electricity cable plans from SP PowerGrid Ltd (SPPG) and engage a Licensed Cable Detection Worker (LCDW) to ascertain the location of high voltage electricity cables in the work area before starting earthworks. They should submit the Notification for Commencement of Earthworks (NCE) to SPPG at least seven calendar days before they commence earthworks in the vicinity of any high voltage electricity cables. Upon receiving such notification, SPPG will issue a Letter of Requirements for earthworks. All contractors are required to comply with SPPG’s Letter of Requirements.

Contractors are strongly encouraged to refer to SS576:2012 (Code of Practice for Earthworks in the Vicinity of Electricity Cables) as a guide to best practices for earthworks near underground electricity cables to prevent cable damages. You may purchase a copy of the code of practice online. 

EMA and SPPG will be implementing the Registered Earthworks Supervisor (RES) scheme to enhance the cable / gas pipeline damage prevention. The scheme requires earthwork supervisors of worksites in the vicinity of high voltage cables and medium/high pressure gas pipelines to attend a RES course to ensure they are competent in cable / gas pipeline damage prevention measures. Only site supervisors who have passed the course, and are registered as a RES with SPPG, will be allowed to supervise worksites in the vicinity of high voltage cables and medium/high pressure gas pipelines. These supervisors will be given demerit points administered by SPPG for any non-compliance of cable / gas pipeline damage prevention requirements.

With this scheme, we aim to prevent the occurrence of cable / gas pipeline damage incidents due to the lack of proper supervision of earthworks. To give time for those interested to attend the course and be registered as a RES, the requirement to deploy a RES at work sites in the vicinity of any high voltage electricity cables, and medium/high pressure gas pipelines will take effect from 1 Apr 2018.

Site supervisors, and anyone interested to be a RES, may enrol for the RES course conducted at BCA Academy (BCAA) or Singapore Institute of Power and Gas¹ (SIPG). For details, please visit BCAA’s website here or SIPG’s website here. Upon successful completion of the RES course, site supervisors will have to register as a RES with SPPG, and be issued with a RES registration pass. For more information, please click here. 

¹ SIPG will only conduct the RES course for contractors working for SPPA/SPPG.

According to Section 85(2) in Chapter 89A of the Electricity Act, any person who, in the course of carrying out any earthworks, damages any high voltage electricity cable in the transmission network belonging to or under the management or control of an electricity licensee, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1 million or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.

EMA will investigate all cable damage incidents and take firm action against parties who contravene Section 85 of the Electricity Act.

The table below shows the list of earthwork contractors who have been charged and convicted in Court since 1 Jan 2013.

Consumers who are affected by cable damage incidents may wish to seek independent legal advice for any losses and damages that they may have suffered. They should do this before deciding if they want to pursue further legal action against the contractors.