Why We Switch from Machine to Shovel: Safe Excavation Around Utility Lines

Double B Excavations & Grade LLC

WHY THE BIGGEST MACHINE ISN'T ALWAYS THE RIGHT TOOL

There's a moment every excavator knows well - you're digging a sewer line, making good progress, when you spot those familiar utility markings.

That's exactly where we found ourselves this morning.

The soil was back-falling, pushing us to dig wider than planned, and there it was: a gas line marking right in our path.

This is when experience kicks in and tells you it's time to switch from machine to shovel.

Some might see this as losing time, but those of us who've been in the business long enough know better.

When you're working around utilities, especially gas lines, taking an extra hour now can save days of headaches - or worse - later.

It's not just about following regulations; it's about protecting our community's essential services and keeping everyone safe.

When we spot those utility markings getting close to our dig area, everything changes. First thing we do is stop the machine - no questions asked. You might have the steadiest hand on an excavator in Ohio, but when you're working near gas lines, mechanical precision isn't enough.



Here's exactly how we handle it: First, we dig slowly with the machine until we're about three feet from where we think the utility line should be. Then comes the switch to hand digging. We take careful scoops with the shovel, checking the soil as we go. Once we find the line with our shovels, we can better understand its exact location and depth. Only then do we know if and how we can safely work around it.

People often ask why we can't just "dig carefully" with the machine. Truth is, even the smallest bucket on our excavator can still do major damage to a utility line. That's why we keep it simple - a good sharp shovel and some elbow grease is often your best tool near utilities.



Here's our method: We dig by hand until we expose the utility line. Then we use what we call the "scoop and verify" approach. Take a small scoop with the shovel, check what you've exposed, then take another small scoop. Yes, it's slower than machine work, but it gives us complete control. We can feel if we're getting close to something before we see it, and that extra sensitivity has saved us from plenty of close calls over the years.

Think about it this way - would you rather spend an extra hour hand digging, or spend days dealing with a ruptured gas line? Not to mention the safety risks and the impact on the community. When you look at it that way, the choice to slow down and do it right becomes pretty clear.

After years of working around utilities, here are some key lessons we've learned:

• Never assume the depth of a utility line
• Those 811 markings might not be perfect, but they're your best starting point
• If something doesn't look right, stop and call for a re-locate
• Keep your property owner informed about what you're doing and why
• Document everything - photos before, during, and after can save you headaches later