10
POTHOLE IT BEFORE YOU BORE IT
NOVA SKILL MODULE M-10
Read: 6 min
Full rules: NU-OPS-002 / NU-OPS-007
You cannot bore past a utility you have not seen with your own eyes. The pothole photo is what defends Nova the day somebody says we hit their line.
Do it in this order — every time
- Confirm the spot out loud with the Crew Lead before the shovel moves.
- Cut the sod square and save it intact. That sod is the restoration.
- Dig BESIDE the marks and approach from the side — never straight down on top of where you think it is.
- Shave, don't stab, as you get near depth.
- First sight of the line: shovel down. Hands and trowel only.
- Expose the top AND both sides. Top only tells you nothing about how wide it is or what's beside it.
- Measure grade to top of the line. Tape in the hole, photographed.
- One line on the crossing sheet per crossing: utility, measured depth, clearance needed, photo reference.
- Nothing gets backfilled before that photo exists.
- Hand-place the first backfill — no rocks on the pipe. Then lifts and tamp. Hole stays plated or coned until it's closed.
THE RIG DOES NOT MOVE until every crossing is potholed, measured, and on the sheet — and the Operator has recited the list back and signed it. That signature is the gate, not a formality.
NEVER — THESE FOUR END IT
- Never backfill a pothole before the depth photo exists.
- Never call a crossing potholed because the paint looks right.
- Never bore a path with one crossing unmeasured.
- Never cover a nick or a scratch. A hidden nick is tomorrow's blowout.
Signed off when he can do all three — watched, not talked about
| Hand-potholes a real crossing — top and both sides exposed, sod saved. | |
| Takes the tape photo and fills in the crossing sheet line himself. | |
| Says what he does when the line comes up 8 inches off the mark. | |
Trainee name / date
FIELD SUPERVISOR initials / date — only he signs