EXCAVATION SAFETY || Work Around Underground Utilities · 2019-09-20 · Trenching and excavation work poses many hazards such as cave-ins, equipment struck-by incidents, potential

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Trenching and excavation work poses manyhazards such as cave-ins, equipment struck-byincidents, potential falls, and strikingunderground utilities.

Hazards posed by striking buried undergroundutilities include property damage, injury,electrocutions, and even explosions.

In order to prevent these potential hazards it isimportant to follow all applicable excavationand trenching safety requirements. In additionto OSHA rules, workers should be aware thatthere may be specific state, municipal, or localrules for “Call before you dig” where the workis being done.

EXCAVATION SAFETY || Work Around Underground UtilitiesVolume 1 Issue 11

Broken water main flooding this busy intersection. Incidents like these can be avoided using safe excavation practices. (*2, *3)

OSHA Standard 1926.651(b)(1) states that the estimated location of utility installations, such as sewer, telephone,fuel, electric, water lines, or any other underground installations that reasonably may be expected to beencountered during excavation work, shall be determined prior to opening an excavation.

(*1)


Before trenching or excavation worktakes place workers must estimatethe location of any buriedunderground utilities by contactingthe appropriate service.

Each state has specific guidelines forcall before you dig.

Call 811 from anywhere in thecountry a few days prior to workingon excavations or trenches and thecall will automatically be routed tothe local one call center.

OSHA Standard 1926.651(b)(2) says thatutility companies or owners shall becontacted within established or customarylocal response times, advised of theproposed work, and asked to establish thelocation of the utility undergroundinstallations prior to the start of actualexcavation.

Example of located intersection and curb area. Note electricity is marked inred paint, telephone in orange flags, and gas is marked in yellow paint.


(*1)


Prior to excavation and callingbefore you dig some states requirecontractors to “white line” the areaproposed for excavation.

Example of whitelining the proposedexcavation area.(*4)


“White line” the area by painting arrows, dashes, dots, or lines in the area the crew will be diggingbefore the locate service arrives.

Always wait the specific time required by the locate service.


Always respect the markings and flags placed by the locating service. Most states have specific “tolerance zones” where excavation with machinery is strictly prohibited. Probe, hand dig, and/or pot hole using shovels when approaching the painted/flagged areas.


Located utilities will be marked by aspecific color for each type of buriedutilities found.

(*5)

(*6)

(*7)


Remember these tips to improveexcavation safety around utilities.

Call 811 from anywhere in thecountry a few days prior toworking on excavations ortrenches.

“White line” the area by paintingarrows, dashes, dots, or lines inthe area the crew will be diggingbefore the locate service arrives.

Always wait the specific timerequired by the locate service.

Respect the markings and flagsplaced by the locating service.

Probe, hand dig, and/or pot holeusing shovels when approachingthe painted/flagged areas.

Know the type of colors for eachof the marked utilities.


Example flags used to mark buried utilities. (*9)

Crew looks for a buried gas line in a freshly dug pothole. (*8)

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• (*1) Photo Credit – Call 811 logo. http://call811.com/

• (*2) Photo Credit – Call811.com Risk Reduction Page - http://call811.com/before-you-dig/risk-reduction

• (*3) Photo Credit – John Donges. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mendrakis/5435946271/

• (*4) Photo Credit – Common Ground Alliance YouTube Channel. Video Clipping. https://youtu.be/5u7Ksl2rENM

• (*5) Photo Credit – Eddie~S. Buried Cable. https://www.flickr.com/photos/pointshoot/3448049515/

• (*6) Photo Credit – Venturist; caution buried gas line. https://www.flickr.com/photos/venturist/3386709793/

• (*7) Photo Credit – Steven Damron; warning! (…) https://www.flickr.com/photos/sadsnaps/3120060005/

• (*8) Photo Credit – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Utility (…) https://www.flickr.com/photos/sacramentodistrict/8384312333/

• (*9) Photo Credit – Call811.com How 811 Works page. http://call811.com/before-you-dig/how-811-works

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/


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EXCAVATION SAFETY || Work Around Underground Utilities · 2019-09-20 · Trenching and excavation work poses many hazards such as cave-ins, equipment struck-by incidents, potential