Exams / HS&E HIW / Finding buried services / Question 2
HS&E HIW practice question: Finding buried services (2 of 6) E. Specialist: Highway works A free question from our original HS&E HIW practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
Last verified October 2026 against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions
You have utility plans for a street you are about to dig up.
How far can you rely on them?
Choose one answer.
A A. They are only a guideB B. They are exact to the centimetreC C. They always show every cableD D. They mean no locator is neededShow the answer and explanation Answer: A
A. Right: Right. HSE says plans give only an indication of the location, configuration and number of services.B. Wrong: Wrong. Plans are only an indication.C. Wrong: Wrong. Some services may be missing or wrongly shown.D. Wrong: Wrong. Use plans together with a locator.Explanation Plans only show roughly where services are. Use a locator as well, and dig trial holes.
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