When backfilling a narrow trench, which technique is generally recommended to minimize soil compaction around existing utility lines and prevent damage?

Question: When backfilling a narrow trench, which technique is generally recommended to minimize soil compaction around existing utility lines and prevent damage?

Answer options:

• Rapidly dumping large amounts of material from a height into the trench.
• Using the loader's bucket to push material directly into the trench walls. ✅ Spreading material in thin layers and compacting each layer carefully with the bucket, away from the utility.
• Filling the trench completely in one pass to reduce the number of machine movements.

Correct answer: Spreading material in thin layers and compacting each layer carefully with the bucket, away from the utility.

Explanation: To prevent damage to utility lines during backfilling, material should be spread in thin, controlled layers, and compaction should be applied carefully, often with the bucket, ensuring minimal pressure on the utilities. Dumping large amounts or compacting directly onto utilities can cause damage.