A. Before an excavator shall demolish a structure, discharge any explosive or commence to excavate in a highway, street, alley or other public ground or way, on or near the location of an operator's underground facilities, or a private easement, such excavator shall first notify all operators in the geographic area defined by the notification center who have on file with the notification center a notice pursuant to Section 142.3 of this title to determine whether any operators have underground facilities in or near the proposed area of excavation or demolition. When an excavator has knowledge that an operator does not have underground facilities within the area of the proposed excavation, the excavator need not notify the operator of the proposed excavation. However, an excavator shall be responsible for damage to the underground facilities of an operator if the notification center was not notified. Notice shall be given no more than ten (10) days nor less than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding the date of notification, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the commencement of the excavation or demolition.

B. Each operator served with notice in accordance with subsection A of this section either directly or by notice to the notification center shall, prior to the date and time work is scheduled to begin, unless otherwise agreed to between the excavator and operator, locate and mark or otherwise provide the approximate location of the underground facilities of the operator in a manner as to enable the excavator to employ hand-dug test holes to determine the precise location of the underground facilities in advance of excavation. For the purpose of this act, the approximate location of the underground facilities shall be defined as a strip of land two (2) feet on either side of such underground facilities. Whenever an operator is served with notice of an excavation or demolition and determines that the operator does not have underground facilities located within the proposed area of excavation or demolition, the operator shall communicate this information to the excavator originating the notice prior to the commencement of such excavation or demolition.

C. The only exception to subsection A of this section shall be when an emergency exists that endangers life, health or property. Under these conditions, excavation operations may begin immediately, providing reasonable precautions are taken to protect underground facilities. All operators of underground facilities within the area of the emergency must be notified promptly when an emergency requires excavation prior to the location of the underground facilities being marked.

D. Every notice given by an excavator to an operator pursuant to this section or to the notification center pursuant to Section 142.3 of this title shall contain at least the following information:

1. The name of the individual serving such notice;

2. The location of the proposed area of excavation or demolition;

3. The name, address and telephone number of the excavator or excavator's company;

4. The excavator's field telephone number, if one is available;

5. The type and the extent of the proposed work;

6. Whether or not the discharging of explosives is anticipated; and

7. The date and time when work is to begin.

E. In marking the approximate location of underground facilities, an operator shall follow the standard color coding described herein:

OPERATOR AND TYPE OF PRODUCTSPECIFIC GROUP IDENTIFYING COLOR

Electric Power Distribution and Transmission Safety Red

Municipal Electric Systems Safety Red

Gas Distribution and TransmissionHigh Visibility Safety Yellow

Oil Distribution and TransmissionHigh Visibility Safety Yellow

Dangerous Materials, Product Lines, Steam LinesHigh Visibility Safety Yellow

Telephone and Telegraph SystemsSafety Alert Orange

Police and Fire CommunicationsSafety Alert Orange

Cable TelevisionSafety Alert Orange

Water Systems Safety Precaution Blue

Slurry Systems Safety Precaution Blue

Sewer Systems Safety Green

Added by Laws 1981, c. 94, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 362, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2016, c. 151, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2016; Laws 2019, c. 148, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.