Which underground services should be checked before starting excavation?

Before starting any excavation work, it is crucial to check for various underground services to ensure safety and prevent any potential damage or accidents. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of identifying power, telephone, gas, water, sewer, drainage, and fiber optic cables.

These services often run underground and can pose significant risks if struck during excavation. For instance, hitting a gas line can lead to leaks or explosions, while damaging a water line can cause flooding and disrupt service. Telephone and fiber optic cables are critical for communication and connectivity, and their damage can lead to extensive service disruptions.

By ensuring all these utilities are adequately checked, excavation work can proceed safely and efficiently, minimizing risks to workers, the public, and the infrastructure itself. This comprehensive approach to identifying underground services is essential in excavation planning and execution.