How should excavation near underground services be handled?

When handling excavation near underground services, the approach must be slow and cautious to ensure the safety of workers and the integrity of the services. Excavating too quickly can lead to accidental damage to buried utilities, which may cause hazardous situations such as gas leaks, electrical outages, or water line breaks. Taking a slow and careful approach allows workers to monitor the excavation area, make use of tools and techniques that minimize risks, and respond appropriately if they encounter any underground services.

The other options do not sufficiently prioritize safety concerns; for instance, rapid excavation may increase the risk of accidents, while limiting excavation to daytime only does not inherently address how to manage risks related to underground services. Using only hand tools may not always be practical and fails to consider the complexity of the excavation job, whereas a cautious approach can involve the appropriate machinery when operated correctly.