What is the term for anything located on the ground in the area of excavation that may create a hazard?

The term for anything located on the ground in the area of excavation that may create a hazard is surface encumbrances. This refers to various objects or materials that could pose risks to safety during excavation work, such as utilities, remnants of old structures, or other obstacles that may interfere with excavation activities. Recognizing and addressing these surface encumbrances is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers and the integrity of the project.

The other options do not accurately capture this specific idea. Hazardous materials pertain to dangerous substances but may not physically obstruct excavation. Excavation limits define boundaries for the excavation itself rather than concerns within those boundaries. Ground contaminants refer to pollutants that may be present underground but do not specifically address objects on the ground that pose a hazard during excavation work.