Cut through light cable while undercutting a door jamb.

[LJM]

Hi everyone, I've got a situation that happened on a job site just recently and I want to get all of you pro installers thoughts on this.
We were installing a engineered floor on the first level of a 80 year old home. As we were undercutting a door jam sparks appeared and all the lights went out.
We pulled the blade out and it was evident that we had hit a cable.

My issue is this is that in the 28 years that we've been doing floors i've never come across a cable so close to the door jam. This is a concern for me because to prevent that from happening again.
My question is As far as liability is concerned are we liable or is that in the hands of the owner. It's impossible for us to know where the cables have been routed. We removed the architrave and you can see how the electrician has routed the cabling through the top of the door from the ceiling void down into the cavity behind the jamb he then drilled a hole through the floor and fed it into the ceiling cavity on the ground floor to feed a light that was in a hallway.

As far as I'm concerned it was totally out of our control because it's impossible to know that an electrician has placed a cable there.
Are there guidelines regarding cable placing?.
My thoughts are is what if the Carpenter who was fitting the jams as he put a nail into the jamb to hold it against the stud what if he hit the cable it just doesn't seem right to me that the cable should be there in the first place. But because this is the first time I've ever become across this I'd like to get some ideas and thoughts on anybody who may have come across this or even common sense reasoning.

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[droog]

Yes it’s a bodgie job and should be installed within the wall cavity, but as with any construction or renovation work you have to assume and inspect for any potential risks installed by trades or illegally installed.
Luckily no one was injured.

Over the years have found a number of power cables damaged by nails even when installed to regulations so even if properly installed does not mean it won’t happen.

Only option to prevent and remove all risk in the future is disconnect all services on the job site before starting work. Remember water and gas are also potential risks.
Best option is come equiped with detection, imaging and inspection equipment to asses the site. Then be aware and proceed with care and respect for any potential dangers.

[ErrolFlynn]

Remember water and gas are also potential risks.

Yes. Had a new window fitted in a unit. The installer was surprised to see a water pipe running close to the top of the upper end of the window frame. In that case, no damage.