Before excavation, which step is critical to ensure safety?

Notifying relevant utility companies before excavation is a crucial step for ensuring safety. This action allows for the identification and marking of underground utility lines such as gas, water, electricity, and telecommunications, which, if damaged during excavation, can lead to serious safety hazards, including injuries or even fatalities.

When utility companies are notified, they can send representatives to the site to accurately mark the locations of their services, preventing accidental strikes. This communication not only helps protect the workers on site but also the general public and nearby infrastructure. The presence of these utilities underground is often unknown to those embarking on excavation tasks, which is why notification is emphasized as a best practice in excavation safety protocols.

While marking the excavation area, obtaining permits, and hiring specialized staff are also important considerations, they are part of the broader process that supports safe excavation. However, without first notifying utility companies, those other steps may not adequately mitigate the risks associated with unmarked underground utilities.