The recent gas explosion in downtown Durham, North Carolina resulted in one fatality and at least 17 injuries. Click here for more details. OSHA’s 1926 Excavation standard (Subpart P) requires the location of underground utilities be identified:

1926.651 (b)(1): “The estimated location of utility installations, such as sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any other underground installations that reasonably may be expected to be encountered during excavation work, shall be determined prior to opening an excavation.”

Please note OSHA does not state a minimum depth in this paragraph. Attached  Excavation Summary Sheet is a one page summary of OSHA’s excavation standard.

Jon