Underground Utilities

 

 

Ever have to probe for and diffuse a land mine? Most people can happily say no. But for con¬struction workers, probing for underground utilities, or working in excavations with under¬ground utilities exposed, the resemblance can be close.

Trenches and excavations are dangerous. Trenches and excavations with underground utili¬ties exposed, or in the process of being exposed, are more dangerous.

Before excavation work begins, the OSHA rules require contractors doing the work to deter¬mine the estimated location of utility installations — sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any other underground installations — that may be encountered during digging.

Your company must: 
• Contact utility companies or land owners and inform them of the proposed work.
• Ask the utility companies or land/building owners to find the exact location of the under¬ground installations.

If they cannot respond within 24 hours (unless the period required by state or local law is longer), or if they cannot find the exact location of the utility installations, contractors may proceed with caution.

Detection equipment
Your company must:
• Contact utility companies or land owners and inform them of the proposed work.
• Ask the utility companies or land/building owners to find the exact location of the under¬ground installations.

If they cannot respond within 24 hours (unless the period required by state or local law is longer), or if they cannot find the exact location of the utility installations, contractors may proceed with caution.

Detection equipment
If the company proceeds on its own:
• Detection equipment or other acceptable means to locate utilities must be used.
• The exact location of the utilities must be determined by a safe and acceptable mean when the operation approaches the estimated location of the utilities.
• The underground utility must be located and totally exposed before digging begins.

Hazardous atmospheres
You must remember that where there are utilities, there is the possibility of hazardous atmospheres. If there is the potential that hazardous atmospheres exist or could reasonably be expected to exist, atmospheric testing and control is required.

After utilities are uncovered, and while the excavation is open, underground installations must be protected, supported, or removed as necessary for your safety.

Always be especially careful when working on, around, or in excavations where underground utilities may be or are known to be present.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com