Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance (PASA) has provided a new pre-excavation checklist.This is intended to be used as a guide in the development of a checklist specific to different situations and may not be inclusive of all pre-excavation activities required.
This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. It is intended to be used as a guide in the development of a checklist specific to your situation and may not be inclusive of all pre-excavation activities required of your situation. PASA accepts no liability and disclaims all responsibility for the consequences of acting, or refraining from acting, in reliance of the information contained in this document or for any decision based on it, or for any consequential, special, incidental or punitive damage to any person or entity for any matter relating to the contents of this document.
Most states provide a narrow exemption to their One Call law for “normal” farming or ranching activities. One of the keys to safe digging is understanding “when am I farming and when am I excavating?” The activities on this list may seem like everyday work on a farm or ranch, but they are actually classified as excavating and according to state laws, require a call to 811.
- Fence Building or Repair
- Drain Tiling
- Terracing
- Grading
- Contouring
- Ripping
- Deep Tilling
- Tree and Stump Removal
- Clearing or Grubbing
- Ditch Cleaning and Repair
- Trenching
- Augering
- Installing Cattle Guards, Dams or Dugouts
- Trenching Water Lines from a Well to a Stock Tank
- Burying Livestock
- Maintaining, Building or Repairing Roads
- Soil sampling at depths greater than 18”
Even farming activities such as discing, leveling, plowing, planting, cultivating, or harvesting can impact buried utilities. State laws vary. Make sure to check your state One Call laws for details.
Successful agricultural operations rely on practical and effective planning. Your production plan is the backbone, and it encompasses all the details surrounding how your farm operation will produce for the market. Many components of your production plan require their own plans to address regulations, land use and improvements, and construction of new facilities. Frequently these activities include excavation and one of the keys to safe and successful excavation is, of course, planning. Planning is the first step in ensuring that work is done safely. Planning for excavation work should start as early as possible and involves:
Planning Phase
- Determine where digging or agricultural activities will take place that may impact underground utilities
- Mark proposed areas where digging or agricultural activities will take place, in white paint or flags
- Call 811 2-3 business days prior to excavation (check your state laws/regulations). It is recommended to take a picture of the work area to help locators identify exact dig locations
- Schedule an onsite meeting with all underground utilities to discuss the proposed digging or agricultural activities, when appropriate
Onsite
Complete a pre-excavation walkthrough of the entire jobsite, adjacent areas, and visually inspect for:
- WARNING signs or other pipeline markers
- Temporary marking flags or stakes that underground utilities have installed
- Identify all services to buildings
Visually inspect for:
- Gas meters
- Farm taps
- Propane tanks
- Pipeline valves
- Cable or telephone pedestals
- Electric transformers
- Water valves or meters
- Evidence of privately-owned facilities such as buried gas, electric, or communication lines
- Evidence of trench lines from previous excavation
- Cleared pipeline rights-of-way
Once evidenced, you will notice that private facilities are not marked when you call 811. It is the responsibility of the landowner to provide detailed information about these lines. Private facilities may include:
- Electric lines running between out-buildings or any line behind the meter
- Natural gas lines behind the meter
- Propane lines off the tank
- Sewer laterals or waste collection lines
- Sprinkler or irrigation lines
Documenting Jobsite
- Verify your 811 ticket covers the scope of proposed digging or agricultural activities that may impact underground utilities and make sure the ticket has a valid “work to begin” date
- Verify all utilities have responded by either temporarily marking their utility within your proposed digging or agricultural activity area, or stating their utility is not in conflict with the proposed digging area
- Post or have your 811 ticket available when digging or agricultural activities will take place
Before you dig
- Review safety information for the excavation equipment with anyone working the jobsite
- Note locations for hand digging within the tolerance zone for your state
- Talk to representatives of all utilities about whether or not they need to be present during digging or agricultural activities and make appropriate arrangements
- Prepare a list of all emergency contact numbers for utilities in and adjacent to the proposed digging areas, so if an emergency occurs, utilities can be contacted
- The location and route to emergency services is known
As said before, the tolerance zone is between 18-24” from the outer edge of the pipeline (in all directions), or as defined by state regulations, whichever is greater. Hand digging is required when excavating within the tolerance zone.
Source: Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance
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