Exams / HS&E HIW / Finding buried services / Question 4
HS&E HIW practice question: Finding buried services (4 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
The locator shows a cable running across your trench line. You are hand digging to expose it.
How should you dig?
Choose one answer.
A A. With a pick, to break through quicklyB B. By probing the ground with a long metal barC C. Alongside the cable, not on top of itD D. Straight down onto it to find it fastShow the answer and explanation Answer: C
A. Wrong: Wrong. A pick can pierce a cable.B. Wrong: Wrong. A metal bar could pierce a live cable.C. Right: Right. HSE says excavate alongside the service rather than directly above it, using insulated tools near electric cables.D. Wrong: Wrong. You could strike the cable.Explanation When exposing a cable, dig alongside it, not directly above, and use insulated tools.
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