UKOPA has now published its 2024 Infringement Database Report, compiled annually by its Infringement Working Group (IWG). This report provides pipeline operators with vital insights into pipeline safety, analysing near-misses, infringements, and actual damage incidents across the UK pipeline network.
A Sharp Rise in Reported Infringements
In 2024, 880 infringements were recorded – a 33% increase compared with 662 in 2023. While part of this may be linked to improvements in reporting systems, the rise underlines the ongoing need for vigilance and robust awareness initiatives.
The following infringements were reported in the last year:
- 3 A1 incidents (actual damage) were reported, up from zero in 2023.
- 138 incidents (15.7%) were classified as Category B (serious potential for damage), slightly down from 17.1% in 2023.
- 739 incidents (84%) were Category C (limited potential for damage), showing a continued trend toward less severe but still concerning infringements.
Where and How Infringements Happened
The Infringement Database Report also looks at where the infringements occurred, and from what activities, allowing UKOPA to tailor its advice to pipeline operators to help ensure greater awareness of risks as well as to target information and advice to those working near to buried pipelines.
- Farmland and private land remain the most common locations, making up over 73% of all reports.
- Excavation (22.5%), ditching (18.8%), fencing (17.6%), and installation works (14.4%) were the leading activities linked to infringements.
- Positive progress was seen in fencing-related infringements, which dropped after focused awareness campaigns, including the UKOPA GPG043 guidance and farmer safety initiatives.
Who Is Infringing?
- Landowners accounted for 62.3% of infringements, up from 50.3% in 2023.
- Contractors remained stable at 26.8%, but still represent a significant proportion.
- Utility companies reduced their share of infringements to 4.9%, down from 9.2% in 2023.
- However, “unknown” infringer cases rose to 12.3%, highlighting a continued data challenge.
Repeat Infringers and Regulatory Engagement
Although no single organisation was linked to more than 10 incidents, the report again highlights repeat infringers across utility and construction sectors. This data is shared with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), where it has influenced regulatory strategy and led to senior-level engagement by companies.
Awareness and Education Initiatives
To help raise awareness of the issue and share good practice, in 2024, UKOPA supported several awareness campaigns, including:
- The Farm Safety Foundation’s Yellow Wellies campaign.
- Development of new working safely videos and contractor guidance.
- Promotion of the UKOPA Pipeline Awareness Course, now widely available online to the farming and contracting communities.
Over 5,000 people have already completed the UKOPA agricultural safety course hosted on the Landex platform, and it is now open to the wider public. For more information on safe working or to watch to video guidance on working near to pipelines, visit https://ukopa.co.uk/working-safely-near-high-pressure-pipelines-video/.
Actions for 2025/26
Building on this activity, the IWG has set out several clear priorities: for 2025/26. These include:
- Convert all A1 infringements into Learning Briefs to share with UKOPA members.
- Review operator awareness of infringements – addressing the 112 incidents in 2024 where operators knew of works before infringements occurred.
- Improve data consistency across members through workshops and updated reporting guidance.
- Tackle unknown location records – operators are asked to review and improve data submissions before the 2026 report.
- Publish updated guidance documents (GPG015 and GPG029) and reissue safety guides for contractors and landowners.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 report reinforces that while most incidents fall into lower-risk categories, actual damage cases and the overall rise in infringements remain a serious concern. UKOPA and its members are committed to continuing awareness campaigns, improving reporting quality, and working with contractors, utilities, and landowners to reduce risks to critical pipeline infrastructure.
Members are encouraged to share learnings, promote the awareness course, and engage actively in 2025 initiatives to help drive down infringement numbers and safeguard the UK’s pipeline network.