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.

• Mark all digs with proper markings.
• Wait the required time before digging.
• Verify positive response by all utilities.
• Ensure that a competent person supervises each excavation.

• Ensure coordination with utility marking personnel so that the dig ticket originator gets positive response in the required timeframe.
• Promote the Dig Safely NY process.

• Provide liaison with Dig Safely 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.

Any excavation activities that do not comply with this procedure are subject to a stop work by EH&S, FP&D project managers, or Facilities Supervisors who are charged with ensuring a safe workplace.

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 from North or South Campus.

The University is a member of Dig Safely New York. As such, all excavations shall be coordinated using the procedures of Dig Safely. Complete a Location Request Information Sheet.

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 per the Excavator’s Manual.
• The excavator fills out the Stake-Out Information Sheet and then calls Dig Safely.
• Within 2 days, the UB underground facilities coordinator will mark all utilities within the work zone using standard marking procedures. Some underground services including natural gas and a petroleum pipeline will be marked by others.
  
• The UB underground facilities coordinator will notify the excavator that locating is completed and the excavator shall complete their Stake-Out request.
• 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 feedback is received from each utility. Generally, notice to proceed will be given by a UB underground facilities coordinator.

All personnel working on open roadways shall comply with the latest MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) adopted by NYS DOT.

EH&S intends to review and update this procedure annually.