manholes
Underground utility accesses
Manholes are openings in streets or sidewalks that provide access to underground utilities—sewers, electrical conduits, steam pipes, subway tunnels.
The heavy metal covers that seal them have become cultural icons of urban infrastructure.
The term has drawn criticism for its gendered language, prompting some municipalities to adopt alternatives like maintenance holes or utility holes.
Protect by overlaying
- sewerUnderground drainage pipe
- utilityFunctional worth or purpose
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- accessRight to enter
street · grate · cast iron · drainage · storm drain · maintenance · municipal · roadway
Skilled practical worker
- descendMove to lower position
- ladderPortable climbing frame
- confined spaceRestricted enclosed area
- harnessStraps controlling an animal
ventilation · crew · lineman · inspector · flashlight · clipboard · hard hat · jumpsuit
cover
Protect by overlaying
- sewerUnderground drainage pipe
- utilityFunctional worth or purpose
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
access · street · grate · cast iron · drainage · storm drain · maintenance · municipal · roadway · inspection
technician
Skilled practical worker
- descendMove to lower position
- ladderPortable climbing frame
- confined spaceRestricted enclosed area
harness · ventilation · crew · lineman · inspector · flashlight · clipboard · hard hat · jumpsuit · torch
circular
Forming a closed curve
diameter · weight · pattern · embossed · logo · textured · grip · hinge · lock · bolt
hazard
Source of potential harm
warning · cone · missing · accident · danger · pothole · obstruction · pedestrian · liability · caution
- concrete productsconcrete blocks, concrete beams, concrete pipes, concrete tiles, concrete panels
- wastewaterwastewater, sewage, sewage treatment, effluent, raw sewage
- siteworkclearing, grubbing, excavation, earthmoving, earth moving
- sanitationsewage, sewers, cleaning, sewer, disinfecting
- public worksstreets, sidewalks, sewers, traffic lights, stop sign
- streetsstreet, road, sidewalk, sidewalks, pavement