§265.50. Emergency Excavation and Demolition

Every person in connection with emergency excavation or demolition, or when any other emergency operation might interfere with existing underground facilities, shall:

a)         Notify, through the State-Wide One-Call Notice System, as promptly as possible the underground utility facilities operators known to have underground utility facilities in and near the excavation or demolition area;

b)         Unless an immediate safety hazard exists, wait two hours after providing notice to the State-Wide One-Call Notice System before beginning excavation or demolition;

c)         If an immediate safety hazard exists such that a two-hour wait is not possible:

1)         Assume the responsibility for demonstrating that site conditions warranted the earlier start time;

2)         Conduct a thorough site assessment to determine the location of underground utility facilities;

3)         Locate the underground utility facilities with acceptable equipment, if possible;

4)         Use hand or vacuum excavation around any known or suspected underground utility facilities;

5)         Immediately and directly notify the utility line operators, if necessary;

d)         Take all reasonable precautions to avoid or minimize interference between the emergency work and existing underground utility facilities in and near the excavation or demolition area.