What must be done before any ground is broken at a worksite?

Before any ground is broken at a worksite, it is essential to "make one call," which typically refers to contacting the local utility locating service. This process is critical as it ensures that underground utilities such as water, gas, electricity, and telecommunications are properly marked out. This step helps prevent damage to these utilities, which can pose serious safety hazards, lead to service interruptions, or result in costly repairs.

Conducting a risk assessment is also an important safety measure but usually follows the initial steps of obtaining utility locates and assessing the site for hazards. While obtaining permits and notifying authorities may be part of the preparatory steps for some larger projects, the immediate action required before breaking ground is to ensure that the area is clear of subsurface infrastructure. Thus, making that call is a pivotal first step in promoting safety and compliance with regulatory requirements at a construction site.