What should be considered when performing work near utility trenching or lines?

• A. Proceed without regard to utilities.
• B. Maintain safe clearances, coordinate with utility owners, and place warning devices around excavations.
• C. Remove warning devices to speed work.
• D. Ignore utility owners’ coordination.

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is that work near utility trenching or lines must be planned and controlled to prevent contact with utilities and to protect everyone around the site. You should keep safe clearances from utilities based on their type, depth, and local rules; coordinate with the utility owners to confirm exact locations and any required shutdowns or relocations; and place warning devices around excavations so workers and the public are aware of the hazard and stay clear.

Maintaining clearances reduces the chance of striking a buried line or coming too close to an overhead conduit. Coordinating with utility owners ensures you have current information and any necessary permissions or protections in place before digging or operating near the lines. Warning devices—barriers, cones, fencing, lights—help prevent accidental entry into the excavation area and alert everyone nearby to the danger.

Reasons to avoid the other options are straightforward: proceeding without regard to utilities ignores the real risk of electrocution, gas release, or service outages; removing warning devices removes the only physical cue that a hazard exists; and ignoring coordination with utility owners eliminates essential protections and permissions, creating safety and regulatory problems.