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NASCLASiteworkmedium13% of exam part

Before opening an excavation, what must be done regarding underground installations?

Correct Answer

D) Determine the estimated location of utilities and protect or support them as needed.

OSHA requires estimated locations of underground installations to be determined before excavation starts.

Answer Options
A
Base the underground utility locate response on memory only
B
The site crew should cut all lines to verify depth
C
The site crew should wait until backfill to call utilities
D
Determine the estimated location of utilities and protect or support them as needed.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

OSHA requires estimated locations of underground installations to be determined before excavation starts.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A: Base the underground utility locate response on memory only

The trap in A is Rely only on memory. That selection is wrong because it leaves the work at an informal or incomplete stage, while Underground utility locate requires Determine the estimated location of utilities and protect or support them as needed.; Underground utility locations are determined before excavation.

Option B: The site crew should cut all lines to verify depth

Choice B gives Cut all lines to verify depth. Its specific error: it answers the Underground utility locate prompt with the wrong practical move.

Option C: The site crew should wait until backfill to call utilities

Choice C (Wait until backfill to call utilities) is rejected because the action skips the timing, documentation, or field-control step needed for Underground utility locate.

Memory Technique

Make underground utility locate a tabbed card: cite the exact condition, then choose Determine the estimated location of utilities and protect or support them as needed.

Reference Hint

Open OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P; EPA Construction General Permit concepts where applicable; use OSHA 1926.651(b) to confirm that OSHA requires estimated locations of underground installations to be determined before excavation starts.

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