CSP question for October 16, 2026
The CSP question of the day for Friday, October 16, 2026, on excavation and working over water. Pick an answer to see the explanation and its source.
CSP Domain 1: Advanced Application of Safety Principles
A crew is excavating a utility trench for a new water service. The excavation is expected to cross the area where a buried gas line may run. The competent person called the gas utility, but the utility says it cannot send a locator for 3 days, and no state or local law requires a longer response period. What may the employer do?
Show answer and source
Answer: B. Proceed with caution, provided detection equipment or other acceptable means are used to locate the utility installations
OSHA's excavation rule, 29 CFR 1926.651(b)(2), lets the employer proceed when a utility cannot locate lines within 24 hours (unless state or local law sets a longer period), but only with caution and using detection equipment or other acceptable locating means. A full stoppage is not required. Normal methods and relying only on old drawings both drop the required caution and detection.
Answer B rests on
29 CFR 1926.651(b)(2)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“When utility companies or owners cannot respond to a request to locate underground utility installations within 24 hours (unless a longer period is required by state or local law), or cannot establish the exact location of these installations, the employer may proceed, provided the employer does so with caution, and provided detection equipment or other acceptable means to locate utility installations are used.”
Where it appears on the exam
CSP: CSP11 Domain 1, Advanced Application of Safety Principles
Practice: Excavation and Working Over Water
Related reference
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