Pre-Task Plan: Relocation of Underground Utilities

Date: [DATE] Work Area: [WORK AREA] Task Supervisor: [SUPERVISOR NAME]

1. Task Description

Relocating underground utilities including identifying, exposing, supporting, and moving pipelines, cables, and conduits to a new location 1, 2, 3.

2. Task Duration

Estimated Start: [START TIME] Estimated Completion: [END TIME]

3. Personnel Involved

• [ROLE 1]: Excavator Operator
• [ROLE 2]: Ground Personnel/Spotter

4. Task-Specific Hazards and Controls

Hazard	Risk	Control Measures
Underground Utilities (Gas, Electric, Water, Communication) 4, 5, 6	Contact with or damage to utilities resulting in electrocution, explosion, flooding, or service disruption [1]	Before work, accurately locate and conspicuously mark all underground pipelines, cables, and conduits [1]. Contact utility companies to locate and mark their lines [2]. Expose utilities by hand digging or approved method within 600mm of the utility [1]. Support exposed utilities to prevent damage during backfilling [1]. Ensure the utility line has been de-energized [3].
Excavation Cave-ins	Worker injury or death due to collapsing trench walls	Ensure the walls of an excavation or trench are supported by shoring, bracing, or caging [3] if the excavation is more than 1.2 m deep 7, 8. Loose material is scaled or trimmed from the side of an excavation or trench if a worker is required or permitted to be present [1]. Keep equipment, spoil piles, rocks and construction materials at least 1 meter from the edge of an excavation or trench [1]. Cut back the walls of the excavation to reduce the height of the remaining vertical walls, if any, to no more than 1.5 metres for 'hard and compact soil' and 'likely to crack or crumble soil' [4].
Mobile Equipment Operation	Struck-by incidents, equipment damage, or rollovers	Use a flagman to guide operators in restricted areas [2]. Ensure operators have clear visibility or utilize a spotter [5]. If possible, the grade should be away from the excavation [5]. Provide a warning system such as barricades, hand or mechanical signals, or stop logs [5].

5. Required PPE for Today's Task

• Hard hat
• Safety glasses
• High-visibility vest
• Steel-toe boots
• Gloves

6. Tools and Equipment Needed

• Excavator
• Hand tools (shovels, picks)
• Marking paint/flags
• Detection equipment for locating utilities [6]
• Shoring/bracing materials
• Ladders

7. Pre-Start Checklist

Area Preparation

• Confirm utility locates are complete and markings are visible 1, 4
• Establish a safe zone around the excavation area
• Ensure proper traffic control measures are in place

Equipment Checks

• Inspect excavator for proper functioning and safety features
• Verify that all tools and equipment are in good working condition
• Ensure that detection equipment is calibrated and functioning correctly [6]

Communication

• Review task-specific hazards and controls with all personnel
• Establish clear communication signals between excavator operator and ground personnel

8. Task Steps Overview

1. Contact utility companies and request utility locates 2, 4.
2. Mark the location of underground utilities 1, 12.
3. Expose underground utilities by hand digging or approved method 1, 15.
4. Support and protect exposed utilities 1, 10.
5. Relocate utilities as per engineering plan.

9. Emergency Response for This Task

• Utility Strike → Immediately evacuate the area, notify the utility owner and supervisor [1].
• Cave-in → Immediately call for emergency services and attempt rescue operations if safe to do so.

10. Task-Specific Precautions

• No work to be performed until all underground utilities are located and marked 1, 4.
• Hand digging required within the hand expose zone of buried facilities 1, 15.
• Ensure adequate shoring and bracing are installed in the trench 7, 8.

Pre-Task Briefing Confirmation

All workers understand the task, associated hazards, and required controls.

Team Lead Initials: [___] Date: [DATE] Time: [TIME]

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