SafetyQuestion 669 of 1605
Title 8 CCR §1541 requires that, before any excavation, the employer must determine the estimated location of utility installations (water, gas, sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, etc.) that may be encountered during digging. In California, the contractor accomplishes this primarily by:
a.Reviewing publicly available aerial photographs
b.Excavating cautiously with a backhoe and stopping if anything is struck
c.Calling 811 (DigAlert/USA North) at least two working days before excavation, under Gov. Code §4216, to have member utilities mark their facilities; potholing is then used to verify exact location when working within the tolerance zone
d.Asking the property owner whether utilities exist on the parcel
Explanation
Title 8 CCR §1541(b) requires utility location before excavation, and Government Code §4216 et seq. requires every excavator (except for emergencies and certain agricultural work) to notify the regional one-call center (DigAlert/USA North 811) at least two but not more than 14 calendar days before excavation. Member utilities then mark or clear their facilities within the work area, and the excavator must hand-dig or vacuum-excavate (pothole) within the tolerance zone (typically 24 inches around the marked utility) to verify exact location. Owner inquiries, aerial photos, and 'cautious' backhoe work do not satisfy §1541 or §4216.
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Reviewed by Abraham Chen — Licensed California General Contractor (CSLB License #1101856 — verify)