Exams / HS&E HIW / Finding buried services / Question 5
HS&E HIW practice question: Finding buried services (5 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 plans and have used a locator, but you need the exact position of a service before digging near it.
What does HSE say to do?
Choose one answer.
A A. Guess from the plans and digB B. Use the machine to find itC C. Ask the driver where it isD D. Dig trial holes to find itShow the answer and explanation Answer: D
A. Wrong: Wrong. Plans are only a guide.B. Wrong: Wrong. A machine bucket can strike the service.C. Wrong: Wrong. Confirm the position with trial holes.D. Right: Right. HSE says trial holes should be dug to identify the exact positions of services.Explanation Use plans and a locator, then dig trial holes to find the exact position of each service.
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