§ 37-15-8 — Precaution to Avoid Damage

In addition to the notification requirements of Section 37-15-4, each person responsible for an excavation or demolition operation designated in Section 37-15-3, when performing excavation or demolition within the tolerance zone, shall do all of the following to avoid damage to or minimize interference with the underground facilities:
(1) Determine the location of any marked underground facility utilizing noninvasive methods of excavation. For parallel type excavations, the existing facility shall be exposed at intervals as often as necessary to avoid damages.
(2) Maintain a clearance of at least 18 inches between any underground facility and the cutting edge or point of mechanized equipment.
(3) Provide such support for underground facilities in and near a construction area, including backfill operations, as may be reasonably required by the operator for the protection of the utilities.
(4) Protect and preserve the markings of approximate locations of underground facilities until those markings are no longer required for proper and safe excavation or demolition.

Legislative History

(Acts 1994, No. 94-487, p. 911, §8; Act 2014-220, p. 691, §1.)