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Data center site work
Excavation, Duct Bank & Utility Safety
Trenches, duct banks, vaults and heavy equipment sets are where data center schedules get made or lost. AAAT3 plans, manages and oversees site work so cave-ins, utility strikes and dropped loads never reach your project.
- Trench & excavation safety
- 811 & utility locates
- Duct bank & vault QC
- Confined space
- Crane lift plans
By the numbers
What poor site work costs
Trench and excavation deaths in 2022, up 160% from 15 the year before
CPWR via Safety+Health, 2023Underground utility damages reported in 2025, a record high. Not calling 811 was the top cause
CGA DIRT Report, 2026Yearly societal cost of utility damages in the U.S., far more than the repair bill
CGA via Underground Infrastructure, 2026Share of utility damages caused by the top 10 root causes, most of them preventable
CGA DIRT Report, 2026What’s included
Site work, duct banks and utilities, done to code
We put a competent person on the ground and the paperwork behind them, from the first locate to the last backfill.
Excavation and trenching
Every trench over 5 feet needs a protective system and a competent person. We make sure both are there every shift.
- Daily excavation inspections by a competent person
- Sloping, shoring and trench box plans
- Spoil piles, access ladders and edge protection
- Water, soil type and weather checks
Duct banks, vaults and manholes
Medium voltage and fiber duct banks feed the whole campus. Mistakes here are expensive to dig up.
- 811 tickets, potholing and locate verification
- Duct bank alignment, spacing and concrete QC
- Confined space permits and atmospheric testing
- Rescue plans and attendant duties
Cranes and heavy sets
Generators, transformers and switchgear are heavy, costly and long lead. A dropped load costs months.
- Lift plans and critical pick reviews
- Rigging inspections and qualified signal persons
- Ground bearing and outrigger mat checks
- Swing radius and exclusion zone control
Project management and consulting
Project management and consulting for site work
Need more than an inspector? AAAT3 manages the site work package itself, so the general contractor and owner get one accountable point of contact.
Site work package management
We manage excavation, duct bank and utility subcontractors from mobilization to backfill: schedule, daily reports, quality and safety.
Best for: Owners and GCs running several site trades at onceUtility coordination and locate management
We run the 811 ticket log, private locator scope, potholing plan and utility owner coordination so nobody digs blind.
Best for: Campuses with crowded or unknown underground utilitiesExcavation safety program consulting
We write or audit your trenching program, competent person training plan and inspection forms to OSHA Subpart P.
Best for: Contractors who need a program that holds up in an auditLift planning and heavy haul consulting
Critical pick plans, rigging reviews and delivery sequencing for generators, transformers and switchgear.
Best for: Long lead equipment that cannot be damaged or delayedDuct bank quality control (USACE CQM)
Three phase inspections, test reports and as-built verification for duct banks, vaults and grounding.
Best for: Federal and hyperscale jobs with strict QC specsSchedule recovery and claims support
When site work falls behind, we find the cause, build a recovery plan and document delays for change orders.
Best for: Projects already behind or facing utility conflictsHow it works
From locate to backfill
Kickoff
Scope, drawings, soil reports and schedule review.
Utility plan
811 tickets, private locates and potholing.
Excavation plan
Protective systems, lift plans and confined space.
Field oversight
Daily inspections, permits and toolbox talks.
Quality checks
Duct bank, concrete and as-built verification.
Closeout
Inspection logs, photos and as-builts turned over.
Rule of thumb: never break ground on a data center campus without a current 811 ticket, verified potholes on every crossing and a competent person who can stop the work.
Ways to work with us
Pick the level of support you need
Start small with a review, put a qualified person on site, or hand us the whole program. Every option is priced to your scope.
Quick start
Site work plan review
A focused review of your excavation, utility and lift plans before work starts.
- Plan and drawing review
- Gap list with fixes
- Code and spec check
- Written report in days
Most popular
On-site site work oversight
A qualified AAAT3 safety or QC lead on your site every shift the ground is open.
- Competent person inspections
- Daily reports and photos
- Permits and confined space
- Stop work authority
Full program
Site work project management
We manage the site work package and its subcontractors from start to finish.
- Schedule and cost tracking
- Subcontractor coordination
- Safety and QC program
- Owner and GC reporting
What you get
Deliverables
Excavation safety plan
Protective systems, inspections and rescue, matched to your soil and depths.
Utility locate log
811 tickets, potholes and conflicts tracked to closure.
Critical lift plans
Crane, rigging and ground checks for every heavy set.
Daily inspection reports
Signed competent person reports with photos.
Duct bank QC records
Inspection, test and as-built records ready for turnover.
Weekly project report
Progress, risks and next steps in plain language.
Standards
Codes and standards we work to
Excavation and confined space
3- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
ExcavationsFederal
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA
Confined spaces in constructionFederal
- EM 385-1-1
USACE safety and health requirementsFederal
Utilities and cranes
3- CGA Best Practices
Damage prevention and 811Industry
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC
Cranes and derricksFederal
- ASME B30
Cranes, rigging and slingsIndustry
Related data center services
Every phase of the build, one partner
Where we do this work
Breaking ground soon? Get your excavation, utility and lift plans reviewed before the first bucket goes in.
Get a Site Work QuoteFAQ
Common questions
When is a protective system required in a trench?
OSHA requires a protective system for trenches 5 feet deep or more unless the excavation is in stable rock. At 20 feet or deeper, the system must be designed by a registered professional engineer.
Do you provide the competent person?
Yes. AAAT3 can provide a trained competent person to inspect excavations daily and after rain or other changes, or we can train and audit yours.
Can AAAT3 manage our site work subcontractors?
Yes. We offer site work package management, including schedule, daily reports, quality control and safety for excavation, duct bank and utility crews.
How do you prevent utility strikes?
We confirm an active 811 ticket, add private locates for on-site utilities, pothole every crossing and keep a locate log so crews never dig on old marks.
Do you work on federal projects?
Yes. We work to EM 385-1-1 and USACE CQM quality control on federal and military construction.
Get a quote for Excavation, Duct Bank & Utility Safety
Tell us about your project, location and start date. We reply with a plan and pricing.
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