What can result from accidental breaks of underground utility lines during excavation?

Accidental breaks of underground utility lines during excavation can lead to fire hazards for several reasons. When a utility line, especially one carrying flammable substances such as gas, is ruptured, it can release those gases into the surrounding area. If there is an ignition source nearby, such as a spark from machinery, it can ignite the gas, potentially causing a fire or explosion. This risk highlights the importance of proper utility location identification and excavation practices to prevent such incidents from occurring.

While there may be a degree of safety risks involved in construction work, the potential for significant hazards, such as fires, makes recognizing these risks crucial for ensuring worker safety. The other options don't adequately encompass the severe implications of breaking utility lines. For example, minimal safety risks downplay the seriousness of the situation, while increased visibility in the workspace is not a practical outcome of such breaks. Delayed construction timelines are a concern, but they do not capture the immediate dangers posed to workers and nearby individuals stemming from fire hazards.