What is required before opening an excavation regarding underground installations?

Before initiating any excavation work, it is essential to determine the estimated locations of underground utilities and installations. This step is critical to ensure safety and to avoid damaging existing infrastructure, such as water pipes, gas lines, electrical cables, and communication wires. Knowing where these utilities are located helps prevent costly repairs, project delays, and potential hazards to workers and the public.

Utilizing tools and resources such as utility maps, calling utility companies for information, or employing a locating service enhances accuracy in identifying the presence and layout of underground installations. This proactive approach is not only a best practice but is often mandated by regulations to protect both workers and the integrity of existing utility services.

Other methods, such as relying solely on personal judgment or waiting to find out the locations until excavation begins, can lead to severe safety risks and unintended damage. Consulting local construction standards is helpful but not sufficiently robust on its own without actively determining utility locations.