The Importance of Hand Exposing Facilities

The Importance of Hand Exposing Facilities

When executing any excavation project, safety and precision are paramount. Click Before You Dig to request line locates is just one of the important steps in keeping yourself and others around you safe when undertaking ground disturbance.  After line locates are complete, hand exposing is the next essential step to confirm the exact location of buried lines.

Even though line locates provide a valuable reference, they are not pinpoint accurate. There can be variations in the depth, orientation, or precise location of utilities due to shifting soil, incomplete mapping / records, and other factors. Hand exposing is the only reliable method to visually confirm the location of a utility before mechanical excavation begins, and it is a requirement of most facility owners. Locate documentation provides the hand expose zone—the area around the locate markings where hand exposure is a requirement—for located facilities. Typically, the hand expose zone is one metre on either side of the locate marks or five metres on either side for high pressure pipelines, although there are exceptions. Always check your locate documentation for the facility owner’s requirements.

How to Safely Hand Expose Utilities

1. Use Appropriate Tools: Hand digging should be done with non-invasive tools such as shovels, trowels, or vacuum excavation equipment. Sharp tools and heavy machinery must be avoided in the immediate vicinity of marked lines.
2. Dig with Caution: Remove soil carefully in small amounts, always watching for signs of conduit or piping. Dig at an angle and loosen compacted soil by prying gently, instead of striking forcefully.
3. Maintain Safe Clearance: Once a utility is exposed, maintain a minimum safety clearance—specified by the facility owner—when operating mechanical equipment nearby. Use a spotter to confirm the equipment remains within the safety clearance.

Hand exposing underground utilities is a vital step in any excavation project following a line locate. It provides the visual confirmation needed to proceed safely and responsibly. While it may require more time and effort upfront, the benefits in safety, cost savings, and infrastructure protection are well worth the investment. Always follow facility owner requirements, use proper techniques, and prioritize safety above all else.

Kassi Zaba – Manager, Stakeholder Relations