49 CFR § 196.103

49 CFR · Transportation

§ 196.103 — What must an excavator do to protect underground pipelines from excavation-related damage?

49 CFR § 196.103

TitleTitle 49: Transportation PartPart 196: Protection of Underground Pipelines from Excavation Activity

SourceeCFR (current through Apr 10, 2026)

This text of 49 C.F.R. § 196.103 (What must an excavator do to protect underground pipelines from excavation-related damage?) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

49 C.F.R. § 196.103 (2026).

Text

§ 196.103 What must an excavator do to protect underground pipelines from excavation-related damage? Prior to and during excavation activity, the excavator must:

(a)Use an available one-call system before excavating to notify operators of underground pipeline facilities of the timing and location of the intended excavation;

(b)If underground pipelines exist in the area, wait for the pipeline operator to arrive at the excavation site and establish and mark the location of its underground pipeline facilities before excavating;

(c)Excavate with proper regard for the marked location of pipelines an operator has established by taking all practicable steps to prevent excavation damage to the pipeline;

(d)Make additional use of one-call as necessary to obtain locating and marking before e

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§ 196.103 What must an excavator do to protect underground pipelines from excavation-related damage?

Prior to and during excavation activity, the excavator must:

(a) Use an available one-call system before excavating to notify operators of underground pipeline facilities of the timing and location of the intended excavation;

(b) If underground pipelines exist in the area, wait for the pipeline operator to arrive at the excavation site and establish and mark the location of its underground pipeline facilities before excavating;

(c) Excavate with proper regard for the marked location of pipelines an operator has established by taking all practicable steps to prevent excavation damage to the pipeline;

(d) Make additional use of one-call as necessary to obtain locating and marking before excavating to ensure that underground pipelines are not damaged by excavation.