An excavator uncovers an unmarked duct bank where the drawings show only abandoned telephone service. What should the site superintendent require before digging continues?
Correct Answer
C) Stop work in the conflict area, protect the exposure, and verify the utility status and relocation method
Unknown utilities should be treated as active until verified; work should stop in the conflict area while the utility is protected and the owner or locator confirms the correct action. Other choices risk utility damage, injury, or concealed changed conditions.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Unknown utilities should be treated as active until verified; work should stop in the conflict area while the utility is protected and the owner or locator confirms the correct action. Other choices risk utility damage, injury, or concealed changed conditions.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Pull the duct bank aside with the bucket
Choice A gives Pull the duct bank aside with the bucket. Its specific error: the option does not produce the required Utility conflict outcome, Stop work in the conflict area, protect the exposure, and verify the utility status and relocation method.
Option B: Assume it is abandoned because the plan note says so
Choice B (Assume it is abandoned because the plan note says so) is rejected because it points to Assume it is abandoned because the plan note says so, but.
Option D: Backfill immediately and omit the conflict from the daily report
The trap in D is Backfill immediately and omit the conflict from the daily report. That selection is wrong because it leaves out the controlling Utility conflict result: Stop work in the conflict area, protect the exposure, and verify the utility status and relocation method.
Memory Technique
Use the phrase "problem, control, result" for utility conflict; the result side is Stop work in the conflict area, protect the exposure, and verify the utility status and relocation method.
Reference Hint
Open Pipe and Excavation Contracting, 2011; use the index entry or section for "Existing utility protection during excavation" to confirm that Unknown utilities should be treated as active until verified; work should stop in the conflict area while the utility is protected and the owner or locator confirms the correct action.
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