Utah Code 54-8a-5.5. Determining the precise location of marked underground facilities

(1)

An excavator may not use any power-operated or power-driven excavating or boring equipment within 24 inches of the markings made in accordance with Section 54-8a-5 unless:

Terms Used In Utah Code 54-8a-5.5

excavation: means an operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, or explosives. See Utah Code 54-8a-2
Excavator: means any person or entity that excavates or conducts excavation activities. See Utah Code 54-8a-2
Location: means the site of a proposed area of excavation described:

(a)

(i)	by street address, if available;

(ii)	by the area at that street address to be excavated; and

(iii)

as specified in Subsection 54-8a-4(3) or 54-8a-5(2)(b)(ii); or

(b)

if there is no street address available, by the area of excavation using any available designations, including a nearby street or road, an intersection, GPS coordinates, or other generally accepted methods. See Utah Code 54-8a-2

Operator: means a person who owns, operates, or maintains an underground facility. See Utah Code 54-8a-2

Underground facility: means personal property that is buried or placed below ground level for use in the storage or conveyance of any of the following:

(a)

water;

(b)	sewage, including sewer laterals;

(c)	communications, including electronic, photonic, telephonic, or telegraphic communications;

(d)	television, cable television, or other telecommunication signals, including transmission to subscribers of video or other programming;

(e)	electric power;

(f)	oil, gas, or other fluid and gaseous substances;

(g)

steam;

(h)	slurry; or

(i)	dangerous materials or products. See Utah Code 54-8a-2
(a)	the excavator determines the exact location of the underground facility by excavating with hand tools to confirm that the excavation will not damage the underground facilities; or

(b)	the operator provides an excavator with written or electronic notice waiving the requirement that the excavator determine the exact location of the underground facilities by excavating with hand tools.

(2)	Power-operated or power-driven excavating or boring equipment may be used for the removal of any existing pavement if there is no underground facility contained in the pavement, as marked by the operator.

Amended by Chapter 426, 2011 General Session

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