Utility Locating Procedure

The University at Buffalo (UB) is a member of UDig NY and fully endorses their program for all excavation work on UB property regardless of location. All work identified in the UB and UDig NY section of this procedure shall be handled through the Dig Safely process. Although most utilities on the North and South campuses will be marked by UB Facilities personnel or its contractor, do not subvert this process by contacting marking personnel directly except in an emergency.

In many cases, UB is the excavator and utility locator for a job. It is possible that the same person may perform both tasks. Regardless, the integrity and safety of the  process must be maintained. Call 811, or submit your ticket through Exactix for every mechanized dig.

This procedure does not contain any new rules. It provides guidance to ensure compliance with New York State Code Rule 753 (16 NYCCR 753).

This procedure applies to all personnel who perform excavation on any UB property including UB personnel responsible for utility marking coordination and actual field marking activities.

• Pre-mark all digs with proper white markings.
• Wait the required time before digging.
• Verify positive response by all utilities. This is done through through Automated Positive Response (APR).
• Ensure that a competent person supervises each excavation.

• Ensure coordination with utility marking personnel so that the dig ticket originator receives their response in the required timeframe.
• Promote the UDig NY process.

• Provide liaison with UDig NY program.
• Ensure that the SUNY/Buffalo member profile is up to date.
• Update utility drawings as necessary and provide marking personnel with the most up-to-date materials.

EH&S will maintain and update this procedure and provide liaison and training for campus and contractor personnel.

Any excavation activities that do not comply with this procedure are subject to a stop work order by EH&S, D&C project managers, or Facilities Supervisors who are charged with ensuring a safe workplace. Repeat violators of this process will be referred to the New York State Public Service Commission.

All personnel working on UB property shall be trained in emergency procedures as established by their employer. Contractors shall have pre-planned emergency evacuation areas for all worksites and all personnel shall be directed to check into this area in the event of an emergency. Personnel accountability is critical to emergency responders.

Contractor personnel shall call UB Police to report any of the following:

1. Emergencies such as accidents or natural disasters

2. Fires (in addition contract personnel should pull nearest fire alarm if possible)

3. Requests for emergency medical services

4. Police issues such as theft of property or damage to contractor equipment.

All personnel should program the University Police number into their cell phones to ensure prompt reporting of emergencies. Do not call 911 for incidents occurring on the North, South or Downtown Campus.

All excavations shall be coordinated using the procedures of UDig NY.

If you are not trained in the Dig Safely system, obtain an Excavator’s Manual from one of UB’s designated underground facilities coordinators.

Excavations include but are not limited to:

• Demolition of structures
  
• Cable or pipe plowing or driving
• Setting poles
• Driving survey pins
• Installing sign poles
• Ditching
• Auguring
• Moving earth
• Drilling
• Grading
• Trenching
• Scraping
• Razing
• Dredging
• Tunneling
• Wrecking

The general procedure for excavations is outlined on the inside back cover of the Excavator’s Manual and summarized here.

• The excavator shall mark all proposed work areas with white paint, white flags or white stakes as appropriate per the Excavator’s Manual.
  
• The excavator then fills out the Stake-Out Information Sheet and calls 811, or enters the ticket electronically via Exactix.
• Within 2 business days, the UB underground facilities coordinator will arrange to have UB owned facilities marked. Some underground services including natural gas and the petroleum pipeline on the North Campus will be marked by others.
• The excavator will ensure that all necessary locates are completed by checking the Automated Positive Response system.
• Work may begin on the date and time noted on the Stake-Out Request.
• Do not proceed with excavation unless these steps are followed and positive response is received.

• All personnel working on open roadways shall comply with the latest MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) adopted by NYS DOT.
• The University has adopted the Work Zone Safety Guidelines for Construction, Maintenance, and Utility Operations as published by the Cornell Local Roads Program as the standard for work zone safety.