Fulton Hogan Hiways has invested in four high-tech cable locators that will advance the way its field crews detect underground power and telephone cables in Suva, Labasa and Savusavu.

Danny Poharama, Fulton Hogan Hiways knowledge transfer manager said that 19 of the staff have been trained in the use of the instruments. There are two cable locators in Suva and another two in the North for Labasa and Savusavu.

“Striking underground live power cables when excavating is a high risk activity on our work and with the addition of the new cable locator, the crews will find it much easier and safer to do their work,” Mr Poharama said.

“Our first point of contact should always be with the Fiji Electricity Authority. Once cable plans are checked they will visit the site and mark out the locations of their cable. We will then use the locator tool to give a depth reading and actual pathway line of the cable.”

Locating underground steel cables via cable locators, says Mr Poharama, is a “non-destructive method of location, which means that the ground surface doesn’t have to be ripped up.

New Zealand-based cable locator trainer Arie de Kort recently conducted specialised training with 19 Fulton Hogan Hiways employees.

Source: Fulton Hogan Hiways

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