True or False: It is safe to assume that all the underground utilities have been located after exposing the marked utilities by hand.

The statement is false because just exposing marked utilities by hand does not guarantee that all underground utilities have been located. Various factors can contribute to this uncertainty in locating utilities. For example, marking may not be comprehensive, or errors in marking could occur due to outdated information or human mistakes. Additionally, not all utility lines may be marked due to inconsistent reporting practices among utility companies.

In most cases, regulations require that pre-construction utility locating services, such as a utility survey or a digging permit request, be performed to identify all potential underground utilities to reduce the risk of accidents or damages during excavation. Thus, it's always necessary to exercise caution and assume that there may be unmarked utilities in the area, reinforcing the importance of thorough planning and precautionary measures before beginning any excavation work.