Underground services protection assembly

Abstract

An underground services protection assembly comprising at least one foot for location in an at least partially filled excavation area above underground services and at least one panel mounted on the at least one foot over the at least partially filled excavation area above underground services, wherein at least one of the at least one foot and the at least one panel comprises at least one material to allow detection from above ground.

Description

[0001] UNDERGROUND SERVICES PROTECTION ASSEMBLY

[0002] Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of protection of underground services and more particularly to a device and system to prevent cable strikes whilst mechanically excavating to expose underground services.

[0004] Background to the Invention

[0005] Underground services or service connections may include any underground pipes, cables and equipment associated with electricity, gas, water (including piped sewage) and telecommunications and also includes other pipelines which transport a range of petrochemical and other fluids. They do not include underground structures such as railway tunnels etc.

[0006] Once covered or buried, underground services or service connections are difficult to locate with accuracy. Underground services are often run in a similar location, but are each owned and maintained by a different service provider.

[0007] Damage to underground services can cause fatal or severe injury (depending upon the type of services damaged) as well as significant disruption and environmental damage; it can also delay the project and incur considerable costs.

[0008] The conventional safe system of work for dealing with underground services is explained in HSEG47-UK Avoiding Danger from Underground Services guidance and includes three basic elements of a safe system of work during excavation:

[0009] • planning the work - contact the owners / operators of those services for information about the location and status of the services;

[0010] • detecting, identifying and marking underground services - Detecting underground services will require information from those who own the services. Individuals with sufficient experience and technical knowledge should carry out a comprehensive survey of the work area using the appropriate survey tools and equipment designed to locate the cables / conduits of the services; and safe excavation / safe digging practices - practise safe excavation techniques and understand the value of hand digging and the risks from using power tools or mechanical excavators.

[0011] As mentioned above, the Guidance recommends hand excavation as there is significant risks attached to using power tools or mechanical excavators and moreover, the potential for injury to operators and / or damage to the services themselves is significant.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least partially ameliorate any one or more of the abovementioned problems.

[0013] Summary of the Invention

[0014] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an underground services protection assembly comprising at least one foot for location in an at least partially filled excavation area above underground services and at least one panel mounted on the at least one foot over the at least partially filled excavation area above underground services, wherein at least one of the at least one foot and the at least one panel comprises at least one material to allow detection from above ground.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for underground services protection comprising the steps of covering an at least partially filled excavation area above underground services with a protection assembly comprising at least one foot for location in the at least partially filled excavation area and at least one panel mounted on the at least one foot over the at least partially filled excavation area, wherein at least one of the at least one foot and the at least one panel comprises at least one material to allow detection from above ground and backfilling over the protection assembly to cover the protection assembly.

[0016] The method may further comprise detecting the protection assembly prior to excavating the excavation area.

[0017] The method may further comprise identifying the outer limits of the protection assembly prior to excavating the excavation area. The method may further comprise marking the outer limits of the protection assembly on the ground surface prior to excavating the excavation area.

[0018] The method may further comprise excavating the excavation area using a mechanical excavator with the identified and / or marked outer limits of the protection assembly as a guide.

[0019] Providing an underground services protection assembly and method as defined above will allow operatives to use machinery, even heavy machinery such as excavators to expose buried services without fear of damaging the services by accidental cable strikes.

[0020] The underground services protection assembly may include at least one foot for location in an at least partially filled excavation area above underground services.

[0021] The at least one foot may preferably be of unitary or one-piece construction. This may minimise the number of components used in an installation. A record of the number of feet (and of panels) may be kept in the installation record.

[0022] The at least one foot may preferably have a block or brick configuration. The at least one foot may have a top plate with at least one primary projection extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof and at least one secondary projection extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof.

[0023] The at least one primary projection may be coaxial with the at least one secondary projection.

[0024] The at least one primary projection may be a male projection. The at least one secondary projection may be a projection with an opening or bore thereinto. In some circumstances of use, the at least one primary projection of one foot may be at least partially received into the opening or bore in the at least one secondary projection.

[0025] The at least one primary projection may have any shape. The at least one primary projection may be cylindrical. In one form, the at least one primary projection may taper from larger to smaller as the at least one primary projection extends away from the top plate. The at least one primary projection may be frustoconical, frustopyramidal or part spherical. An opening may be provided through the free end of the at least one primary projection. This may assist with preventing air locks when inserted into an opening or bore in at least one secondary projection.

[0026] One or more openings may be provided through the top plate.

[0027] The at least one secondary projection may have a tubular wall defining the opening or bore thereinto. The tubular wall may have any shape. The opening or bore may have any shape. The opening or bore will preferably correspond in internal shape with the external shape of at least a part of the at least one primary projection.

[0028] The top plate of the at least one foot may be provided with at least one side wall extending therefrom to form a hollow block with the top plate closing an upper side and an open lower face. The at least one side wall may extend substantially perpendicularly from the lower side of the top plate. In some forms, the at least one side wall may diverge slightly outwardly.

[0029] The at least one side wall may be a cylindrical side wall to form a cylindrical foot. However, a pair of opposed sidewalls and a pair of opposed end walls may be provided to form a rectangular foot.

[0030] The at least one secondary projection may be located within a cavity defined by the at least one sidewall on the underside of the hollow block.

[0031] One or more bracing member or formation may be provided between an outer side of the at least one secondary projection and an adjacent inner surface of the at least one side wall to brace the at least one secondary projection against movement.

[0032] Additional bracing formations may be provided within the cavity of the foot preferably between the at least one side wall and the underside of the top plate.

[0033] The lower free end of the at least one secondary projection (and any bracing member of formation provided) is preferably closer to the underside of the top plate than the free end of the at least one sidewall. This configuration may assist with preventing or minimising sinking of the at least one foot.

[0034] The at least one foot may be provided in any suitable configuration. For example, the at least one foot may be provided in a single configuration with one primary projection and one secondary projection. The at least one foot may be provided in a double configuration, with two primary projections and two secondary projections. Where provided with any more than one primary projection and one secondary projection, the cavity on the underside of the foot may have a separator wall between the secondary projections. Other configurations are also possible such as a quad configuration, with four primary projections and four secondary projections in a 2x2 matrix, or a line of four. Still further, the foot may be provided as an open perimeter with multiple primary projections and secondary projections spaced about a perimeter frame defining a central opening to be located over the at least partially filled excavation covering the services.

[0035] In use, the at least one foot will be located on the ground surface of an at least partially filled excavation covering the services once backfilled. The feet may be spaced apart over the at least partially filled excavation covering the services. A continuous run of feet may be used adjacent to a services cable. A number of feet may be used to define a pattern to support at least one panel. The use of double feet may interlock the panels when properly connected. Once connected, a panel may span two or more feet. Locating the feet about but not over any services cable may prevent any load being placed or directly transmitted to the services cable from above.

[0036] At least two feet may be stacked vertically to elevate a panel where required. This may space the panel from the at least partially filled excavation covering the services. When stacked, at least a part of a primary projection from a lower foot may be received at least partially within the opening or bore in a secondary projection of an upper foot. An internal shoulder may be provided within the opening or bore to prevent over insertion.

[0037] The underground services protection assembly may include at least one panel mounted on the at least one foot over the at least partially filled excavation area above underground services.

[0038] The at least one panel may preferably be of unitary or one-piece construction. This may minimise the number of components used in an installation. A record of the number of panels (and of feet) may be kept in the installation record. The at least one panel may preferably have a low-profile block or brick configuration. The at least one panel may have a top plate with at least one depending sidewall to form a hollow block panel with the top plate closing an upper side and an open lower face. The at least one side wall may extend substantially perpendicularly from the lower side of the top plate. In some forms, the at least one side wall may diverge slightly outwardly.

[0039] The at least one side wall may be a cylindrical side wall to form a cylindrical panel.

[0040] A pair of opposed sidewalls and a pair of opposed end walls may be provided to form a rectangular panel.

[0041] At least one secondary projection with an opening or bore therein may be located within a cavity defined by the at least one sidewall on the underside of the hollow panel. In a preferred form, each panel has a number of secondary projections on an underside. The secondary projections may be provided in a regular array. Preferably, a secondary projection may be provided adjacent to each comer of the panel. At least one secondary projection may be provided over the length and / or width of the panel. The secondary projections are preferably located spaced about the periphery of the underside of the panel to allow use of a double foot in particular to interlock adjacent panels. The provision of multiple secondary projection with an opening or bore on the underside of the panel provides an installer with a wide variety of options for mounting a panel to one or more feet as required to position the feet and the panels over the services, without locating the feet directly over the services.

[0042] One or more bracing member or formation may be provided between an outer side of the at least one secondary projection and an adjacent inner surface of the at least one side wall to brace the at least one secondary projection against movement.

[0043] The underside of the panel may be provided with a number of bracing members to increase the load bearing strength impact resistance of the panel. The bracing members may be provided in a (regular) array to maximise strength and also lower weight. In use, the panel may be positioned over at least one foot to receive a primary projection from the at least one foot on the underside of the panel to position the panel and as mentioned above, preferably to interlock more than one foot together using the panel. A lower edge of the at least one side wall may preferably abut the upper side of the top plate of at least one foot to support the panel on the at least one foot.

[0044] The upper surface of the top plate of the panel may be contoured or grooved. This may add grip to the upper surface. This may minimise soil caking to the panel when backfilled over the panel. The provision of a contoured or grooved upper surface on the top plate of the panel may also provide a degree of tactile feedback to an excavator operator during excavation so that the operator may identify that the panel has been located by the bucket of the excavator.

[0045] In one form, the dimensions of the panel may be approximately 900mmx300mmx90mm.

[0046] At least one and preferably at least a pair of hand hold openings may be provided in the top plate of the panel. These openings may also assist with ventilation when buried. They may mitigate any adverse ground conditions or ground gas, for example.

[0047] The feet and / or panels may be manufactured of any material. A plastic material is preferred for strength to weight ratio with good impact resistance. A particularly preferred example is HDPE. Other plastics may be added for processing ease and / or beneficial properties. As mentioned below, a metal-polymer composite is particularly preferred. The feet and panels may be formed of different materials or the same material.

[0048] In a preferred form, at least the feet may have an additive added to the material used to form the feet to allow detection of the feet when buried. The type of additive may depend on the detection method.

[0049] The additive may be metal to allow for detection using a metal detector, preferably a conventional, hand-held, portable metal detector. The metal may be added as a plate or similar and then moulding the foot or panel about the plate. The metal may be added as a mesh and then moulding the foot or panel about the plate. The metal may be added as a particulate dispersed within the molten plastic prior to molding. Use of particulate may be preferred to maintain the mechanical properties of the plastic used or at least to adversely affect the properties at little as possible. Addition of metal particulate may have a positive effect on mechanical properties, particularly when dispersed homogeneously in the molten plastic prior to molding.

[0050] As mentioned above, the metal particulate may be added at a sufficiently high ratio to allow metal detection of the foot (or panel) without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the plastic used. However, as the metal is preferably added to the foot, and not to the panel, the ratio may be higher. For example, the metal particulate may be added at a ratio of 50%, 40%, 30%, or 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, or 5% by weight, more preferably between 50% and 30%, even more preferably between 50% and 40%, or between 50% and 45% and most preferably approximately 46-47% by weight.

[0051] The metal may be of any type, but a simple ferric metal such as iron or alloy thereof may be preferred.

[0052] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0053] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0054] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of an excavation with services conduit extending through.

[0055] Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the excavation in Figure 1 , backfilled and with an underground services protection assembly of an embodiment partially installed thereon.

[0056] Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the configuration in Figure 2 with two panels installed.

[0057] Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the configuration in Figure 3 with all but one panel installed. Figure 5 is an axonometric view of a completed installation of an underground services protection assembly of an embodiment.

[0058] Figure 6 shows the demarcation markings to guide excavation of an excavation with an underground services protection assembly installed thereon.

[0059] Figure 7 shows a toothless bucket used for excavation of an installation with an underground services protection assembly of an embodiment.

[0060] Figure 8 is an axonometric view from above of a panel according to an embodiment.

[0061] Figure 9 is an underside view of the panel illustrated in Figure 8.

[0062] Figure 10 is a top view of the panel illustrated in Figure 8.

[0063] Figure 11 is an axonometric underside view of the panel illustrated in Figure 8.

[0064] Figure 12 is an end view of the panel illustrated in Figure 8.

[0065] Figure 13 is an axonometric view from above of a single foot according to an embodiment.

[0066] Figure 14 is an underside view of the foot illustrated in Figure 13.

[0067] Figure 15 is an axonometric underside view of the foot illustrated in Figure 13.

[0068] Figure 16 is a top view of the foot illustrated in Figure 13.

[0069] Figure 17 is an axonometric view from above of a double foot according to an embodiment.

[0070] Figure 18 is an underside view of the foot illustrated in Figure 17.

[0071] Figure 19 is a top view of the foot illustrated in Figure 17.

[0072] Figure 20 is an end view of the foot illustrated in Figure 17.

[0073] Figure 21 is an axonometric underside view of the foot illustrated in Figure 17.

[0074] The accompanying Figures show an underground services protection assembly comprising a number of feet 10 for location in an at least partially filled excavation area above underground services and at least one panel 11 mounted on the feet 10 over the at least partially filled excavation area above underground services.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, each foot 10 includes 47% by weight of iron (added to the molten plastic before moulding) to allow detection of each foot 10 from above ground using a hand held metal detector.

[0076] Each of the feet 10 illustrated in Figures 13 to 21 are of unitary or one-piece construction. As shown, the feet have a block or brick configuration. Each foot 10 has a top plate 12 with at least one primary projection 13 extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof and at least one secondary projection 14 extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof.

[0077] As shown, each primary projection 13 is coaxial with a secondary projection 14.

[0078] The primary projection 13 is a male projection. The secondary projection 14 is a tubular projection with an opening or bore 15 thereinto. In some circumstances of use, the primary projection 13 of one foot 10 may be at least partially received into the opening or bore 15 in a secondary projection 14 on an adjacent foot 10.

[0079] In the illustrated form, the primary projection 13 tapers from larger to smaller as the primary projection 13 extends away from the top plate 12.

[0080] As shown, an opening 16 is provided through the free end of the primary projection 13. One or more openings 17 are also provided through the top plate 12.

[0081] As shown, the secondary projection 14 has a tubular wall defining the opening or bore 15 thereinto. The opening or bore 15 will preferably correspond in internal shape with the external shape of at least a part of the primary projection 13, in the illustrated case, having a circular cross-section.

[0082] The top plate 12 of the foot 10 is provided with a pair of opposed sidewalls 18 and a pair of opposed end walls 19 extending therefrom to form a hollow rectangular block with the top plate 12 closing an upper side, and an open lower face. The sidewalls 18 and end walls 19 diverge slightly outwardly from the lower side of the top plate 12. The secondary projection 14 is located within a cavity defined on the underside of the hollow block by the sidewalls 18 and end walls 19.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, a series of bracing members 20 are provided between an outer side of the secondary projection 14 and an adjacent inner surface of the sidewalls 18 and end walls 19 to brace the secondary projection 14 against movement. Additional bracing formations 21 are provided within the cavity of the foot 10 between the sidewalls 18 and end walls 19 and the underside of the top plate 12.

[0084] As shown best in Figure 21, the lower free end of the secondary projection 14 (and any bracing member 20, 21 provided) may be closer to the underside of the top plate 12 than the free end of the side walls 18 and end walls 19.

[0085] The foot 10 may be provided in any suitable configuration. For example, the foot 10 may be provided in a single configuration with one primary projection 13 and one secondary projection 14 as shown in Figures 13 to 16. The foot 10 may be provided in a double configuration, with two primary projections 13 and two secondary projections 14 as shown in Figures 17 to 21. Where provided with more than one primary projection 13 and secondary projection 14, the cavity on the underside of the foot 10 may have a separator wall 22 between the secondary projections 14 as shown in Figures 18 and 21.

[0086] In use and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the feet 10 will be located on the ground surface of an at least partially filled excavation covering the services (as shown in Figure 1), once backfilled. The feet 10 are spaced apart over the at least partially filled excavation covering the services. A number of feet 10 may be used to define a pattern to support at least one, but preferably a number of panels 11. Double feet, as shown in Figure 17 to 21 can be used to interlock the panels 11 when properly connected. Once connected, a panel 11 may span two or more feet 10. Locating the feet 10 about, but not over any services cable prevents any load being placed or directly transmitted to the services cable from above.

[0087] As shown in Figures 8 to 12, the panel 11 is of unitary or one-piece construction.

[0088] The panel 11 illustrated has a low-profile block or brick configuration with a top plate 23 with a depending pair of opposed sidewalls 24 and a pair of opposed end walls 25 to form a hollow rectangular block panel with the top plate 23 closing an upper side and an open lower face. In the illustrated form, the sidewalls 24 and end walls 25 diverge slightly outwardly.

[0089] A number of secondary projections 26 with an opening or bore 27 therein are located within a cavity defined by the sidewalls 24 and end walls 25 on the underside of the hollow panel 11. The panel 11 as shown, has a number of secondary projections 26 on an underside, provided in a regular array. A secondary projection 26 may be provided adjacent to each comer of the panel 11, with least one secondary projection 26 provided over the length and / or width of the panel 11. The secondary projections shown are located spaced about the periphery of the underside of the panel 11 to allow use of a double foot 10 in particular to interlock adjacent panels 11.

[0090] In the illustrated embodiment, bracing members or formations are provided between an outer side of the secondary projections and an adjacent inner surface of the sidewalls 24 and end walls 25 to brace the secondary projections against movement. The underside of the panel 11 is also provided with a number of bracing ribs to increase the load bearing strength impact resistance of the panel. The bracing ribs are provided in a (regular) array to maximise strength and also lower weight.

[0091] In use, the panel 11 is positioned over at least one foot 10 to receive a primary projection 13 from the at least one foot 10 on the underside of the panel 11 to position the panel 11. A lower edge of the sidewalls 24 and / or end walls 25 may abut the upper side of the top plate 12 of at least one foot 10 to support the panel 11 on the at least one foot 10.

[0092] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface of the top plate of the panel 11 is contoured or grooved.

[0093] In the illustrated form, the dimensions of the panel 11 is approximately 900mmx300mmx90mm.

[0094] A pair of hand hold openings 28 is provided in the top plate of the panel 11. Installation Process

[0095] An underground services protection assembly pack may be configured in a rectangular shape to provide plot connection protection, or in a continuous run over a service, length or width ways, depending on the diameter of the services.

[0096] Each underground services protection assembly pack may contain:

[0097] • 5x panels

[0098] • lOx Double feet

[0099] • 4x Single feet

[0100] Installation operatives must inspect the panels 11 and feet 10 for defects before any installation. Any panels 11 with significant cracks along joints, or damaged webbing to the underside of the panel 11 should not be used.

[0101] Once the services have been installed the underground services protection assembly can be installed. Figure 1 shows a correct NJUG Utility install but the underground services protection assembly can be installed even if these are not installed as per regulation.

[0102] The feet 10 of the underground services protection assembly are then positioned over the at least partially backfilled excavation covering the services to interlock the panels 11 to enable the panels 11 to be connected. Feet 10 are not positioned directly above any service to prevent damage when weight or dynamic force is applied.

[0103] As shown in Figure 2, the feet 10 are located in a generally rectangular pattern and the first panel 11 (a transverse panel) may be installed to interlock the feet 10 at one end. Double feet are used to provide an interlock point for the longitudinal panels. Figure 3 shows the first longitudinal panel installed. The installation of the panels 11 continues as shown in Figure 4 to add longitudinal panels interlocked using the primary projections on the feet 10.

[0104] A completed installation is shown in Figure 5.

[0105] Once installed, an installation record can be created including drawings and / or photographs of the installation, as well as the orientation, depth and / or dimensions of the installation. This installation record can then be available for the excavation process. Excavation Process

[0106] A Permit to Work system should be operational by the Principal Contractor for all works in close proximity to services.

[0107] The excavation team will preferably firstly review the service information to determine the location of the previously laid service(s).

[0108] Following this, the installation record supplied when the underground services protection assembly was installed (Issued at Permit Sign off) should offer further clarification of the location, orientation, depth and / or dimensions of the installation of the underground services protection assembly. GPS Location can also be used although is not a pre-requisite.

[0109] The next step ahead of Permit to Work Issue is to scan the area using a metal detector and locate the underground services protection assembly installation from when the services were protected.

[0110] Using the results of the scan, the installation record and GPS data (if available) the operators may then apply for permit to work using this O&M sequence to support a detailed Risk Assessment noting key hazards and risks associated with Manual Excavation.

[0111] As the excavator operator will know from the installation records, the depth and dimensions of the installation, a scan and sketch of the installation, and that the contours of the panel will offer assistance to the excavator operator when they carefully dig down.

[0112] The dynamic resistance of the panel can accommodate worst-case scenarios (for example, cardiac arrest of the driver or forcing down of the bucket).

[0113] At this stage, a permit to work can be issued given all pre-requisites of competent personnel (scanning, identification, review of installation records, Excavation Application, Groundworks Supervisor) are appropriate and that all the above are contained in a safe system of work incorporating the underground services protection assembly in support of a detailed Risk Assessment. Following completion of the permit to work and satisfied of the service location, a trained operative may then use cable detection equipment to identify the location of the services. They can also identify the location and limits of the underground services protection assembly due to the metal material incorporated in the feet and / or panels from above ground.

[0114] Once satisfied with the location of the service and presence and outer limits of the underground services protection assembly has been identified, the operatives may mark, for example, using line spray to demarcate the location of the underground services protection assembly before excavation work.

[0115] A mechanical excavator, for example using a toothless bucket, may then be used to remove any solid surface such as Tarmac, cutting the perimeter of the area scanned and marked to confirm the location of the surface. At this stage, the operatives may again mark, for example, using line spray to demarcate the location of the underground services protection assembly.

[0116] Excavation above the underground services protection assembly may then proceed, again preferably by mechanical excavator using a toothless bucket, until the excavator reaches the buried underground services protection assembly. Once the excavator operator feels resistance and / or can identify the underground services protection assembly by the feel of the contoured upper surface of the panel, the excavator operator may continue to carefully remove and clear the remaining material from the underground services protection assembly.

[0117] Once the material has been removed, and the underground services protection assembly is visible, the underground services protection assembly can simply be lifted from the ground to expose the services.

[0118] The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An underground services protection assembly comprising at least one foot for location in an at least partially filled excavation area above underground services and at least one panel mounted on the at least one foot over the at least partially filled excavation area above underground services, wherein at least one of the at least one foot and the at least one panel comprises at least one material to allow detection from above ground.

2. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one foot is of unitary or one-piece construction.

3. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least one foot has a block or brick configuration comprising a top plate with at least one primary projection extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof and at least one secondary projection extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof.

4. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at least one primary projection is coaxial with the at least one secondary projection.

5. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the at least one primary projection is a male projection.

6. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the at least one primary projection tapers from larger to smaller as the at least one primary projection extends away from the top plate.

7. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the at least one primary projection is frustoconical, frustopyramidal or part spherical.

8. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein the at least one secondary projection is a tubular projection with an opening or bore thereinto.

9. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the at least one secondary projection has a tubular wall defining the opening or bore thereinto.

10. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the opening or bore corresponds in internal shape with an external shape of at least a part of the at least one primary projection.

11. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10 wherein the top plate of the at least one foot is provided with at least one side wall extending therefrom to form a hollow block with the top plate closing an upper side and an open lower face.

12. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the at least one side wall comprises a pair of opposed sidewalls and a pair of opposed end walls to form a rectangular foot with the at least one secondary projection located within a cavity defined on an underside of the hollow block.

13. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 12 further comprising one or more bracing member or formation is provided between an outer side of the at least one secondary projection and an adjacent inner surface to brace the at least one secondary projection against movement.

14. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 13 provided in a single configuration with one primary projection and one secondary projection, a double configuration with two primary projections and two secondary projections, a quad configuration with four primary projections and four secondary projections in a 2x2 matrix, or in a line of four.

15. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one panel has a low-profile block or brick configuration with a top plate with a pair of opposed depending sidewalls and a pair of opposed depending end walls provided to form a hollow rectangular block panel with the top plate closing an upper side and an open lower face.

16. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 15 further comprising at least one secondary projection with an opening or bore thereinlocated within a cavity defined on the underside of the hollow panel, the at least one secondary projection to receive a primary projection from at least one foot on the underside of the panel to position the panel.

17. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the upper surface of the top plate of the panel is contoured or grooved.

18. An underground services protection assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one foot has a metal additive added to the material used to form the feet to allow metal detection of the feet when buried.

19. A method for installing an underground services protection assembly comprising the steps of covering an at least partially filled excavation area above underground services with a protection assembly comprising at least one foot for location in the at least partially filled excavation area and at least one panel mounted on the at least one foot over the at least partially filled excavation area, wherein at least one of the at least one foot and the at least one panel comprises at least one material to allow detection from above ground and backfilling over the protection assembly to cover the protection assembly.

20. A method for installing an underground services protection assembly as claimed in claim 19 further comprising the step of creating an installation record of a location, orientation, depth and / or dimensions, number of feet and / or of panels of the installation of the underground services protection assembly.

21. A method for excavating an installed underground services protection installed according to claim 19 of claim 20, the method for excavating comprising detecting the underground services protection assembly prior to excavating the excavation area.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising identifying the outer limits of the protection assembly prior to excavating the excavation area.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising marking the outer limits of the protection assembly on the ground surface prior to excavating the excavation area.

24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23 further comprising excavating the excavation area using a mechanical excavator with the identified and / or marked outer limits of the protection assembly as a guide.

25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24 further comprising a step of retrieving and reviewing an installation as claimed in claim 20 prior to excavation.

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