Ground Disturbance Best Practices for Workers and Supervisors

Ground disturbance is one of the highest-risk activities in construction, oil and gas, utilities, and industrial environments. Every year, workers are seriously injured—or worse—due to contact with underground utilities that were either unidentified, improperly exposed, or misunderstood. Whether you’re on the tools or overseeing the work, understanding and applying ground disturbance best practices is critical to preventing incidents and ensuring safe excavation.

Why Ground Disturbance Safety Matters

Buried hazards are often unseen, undocumented, or inaccurately marked. Striking a utility can result in:

• Gas releases and explosions

• Electrical contact and arc flash

• Service disruptions affecting entire communities

• Environmental damage

• Serious injury or fatality

Ground disturbance safety isn’t just about compliance—it’s about control, awareness, and execution.

1. Always Call Before You Dig

Before any ground is broken, a utility locate must be completed.

Best Practices:

• Submit locate requests well in advance

• Confirm all utilities have responded—not just some

• Review locate markings and documentation on site

• Never assume “no marks” means “no hazards”

Even with locates, verification is still required.

2. Conduct a Thorough Hazard Assessment

A proper hazard assessment goes beyond surface-level observations.

Workers and supervisors should:

• Review site drawings and locate reports

• Identify potential conflicts (crossings, congestion zones)

• Assess soil conditions and environmental factors

• Confirm safe work procedures are in place

Supervisors play a key role in ensuring the plan is understood, communicated, and followed.

3. Understand Utility Crossings

Utility crossings are one of the most dangerous aspects of excavation work.

When multiple utilities intersect:

• Depths may vary from drawings

• Markings may overlap or be unclear

• Older infrastructure may not be documented

Best Practice:Treat every crossing as a high-risk zone requiring controlled exposure.

4. Use Proper Exposure Techniques

Mechanical excavation is not always safe near buried utilities.

Safe exposure methods include:

• Hand digging

• Hydrovac excavation (preferred in many cases)

• Soft digging techniques

Golden Rule:Expose before you approach.

Never rely solely on markings when working within tolerance zones.

5. Maintain Safe Distances and Tolerance Zones

Each jurisdiction and utility owner defines minimum approach distances.

Key considerations:

• Know the tolerance zone requirements in your region

• Reduce equipment use near known utilities

• Assign a spotter when operating equipment

Encroaching within tolerance zones without proper exposure is a leading cause of utility strikes.

6. Communication is Critical

Ground disturbance is a team activity—and communication failures often lead to incidents.

Ensure:

• Pre-job and/or pre-dig meetings (including tailgate/toolbox talks) are completed

• Workers understand the locate markings and hazards

• Clear signals between operators and spotters

• Immediate reporting of any contact or near miss

Supervisors must reinforce expectations and verify understanding—not assume it.

7. Verify—Don’t Assume

One of the most common causes of incidents is assumption.

• “It should be deeper”

• “We already exposed it yesterday”

• “The markings look accurate”

These assumptions lead to shortcuts—and shortcuts lead to incidents.

Best Practice:Continuously verify location, depth, and condition throughout the job.

8. Stop Work When Conditions Change

Conditions in excavation can change rapidly.

Stop work if:

• New utilities are discovered

• Markings are unclear or missing

• Soil conditions shift

• Work scope changes

Reassess, re-plan, and only proceed when it’s safe.

The Role of Supervisors vs Workers

Supervisors

• Ensure planning, permits, and locates are completed

• Lead hazard assessments and safety meetings

• Enforce procedures and stop unsafe work

• Verify competency and understanding

  
  

Workers

• Follow procedures and training

• Review all the relevant documentation to ensure it is accurate and that you understand it

• Stay alert to changing conditions

• Communicate hazards immediately

• Never take shortcuts

• ASK QUESTIONS

• STOP if you are unsure

Safety is shared—but leadership sets the standard.

Safety is Built Before the First Dig | Ground Disturbance Best Practices

Ground disturbance incidents are preventable. The difference between a safe job and a catastrophic one often comes down to planning, verification, and discipline in execution.

The safest crews aren’t the fastest—they’re the ones who:

• Take the time to verify

• Respect the hazards below

• Follow best practices every time

  
  

Build Confidence Before You Break Ground

True North Safety Certifications provides online Ground Disturbance training designed to help workers and supervisors understand underground hazards, utility crossings, and safe excavation practices. Our trusted course library—developed in partnership with industry-recognized providers—ensures your training meets expectations across Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and beyond.