In what scenario is it advisable to reduce the rate of excavation when utility presence is suspected?

Reducing the rate of excavation when utility presence is suspected is crucial for ensuring safety and preventing damage to existing utilities. In scenarios where utilities might be present, operators should exercise heightened caution, particularly in later stages of excavation, where more ground is disturbed, and greater risk is introduced.

In this context, Stage 4 typically involves the final phases of excavation which can include more precise work near existing structures and utilities. This stage often necessitates a more careful approach, as the operator may be working closer to buried utilities like water, gas, electricity, or communications lines. Reducing the rate of excavation helps avoid potential accidents and extensive damage, ensuring that there is sufficient time to assess the surroundings carefully and implement the appropriate safety measures.

In contrast, earlier stages of excavation may involve broader digging and site preparation with less immediate risk of encountering utilities, which might not require as much caution around rate reduction. Therefore, the emphasis on safety and risk management in Stage 4 makes it advisable to slow down excavation processes when utilities are suspected.