CommScope ConQuest Conduit Construction - Manual (Page 73)

Underground Safety
Telecommunication construction is typically done within right-of-way dedicated for the routing of other
underground systems – municipal and utility pipes, wires, cables, and conduits.
Damage to any one of these utilities could cause a disruption of services. At worst, it may cause catastrophic
harm to personnel and surrounding property.
It is usually required by law that you contact all operators of these systems prior to the start of any excavation,
including those that are out of the right-of-way (ROW). These system operators will indicate horizontal location of
their plants with a flag or paint markings, called a locate mark or locate. Law usually requires that the subsurface
plant owner perform this duty within a defined time period and ensure that the locate marks are correctly
positioned. The primary intent of the locate mark is to PREVENT damage to conflicting ROW,
not to define liability. However, the recovery of damages resulting from excavation work is generally decided
with high consideration given to the locate marks.
Once the horizontal location of the conflicting ROW has been established, the depth, or ‘vertical’ location of
the ROW must be determined. This is usually done by potholing, or carefully digging a hole until the conflicting
ROW (or its warning tape) is located.
The owner of the real estate should also be contacted prior to excavation. There may be a water sprinkler, closed
circuit television or communication systems buried in or around the ROW. The excavating party should also make
necessary locate marks on their existing plant.
Underground installations typically terminate in a pit or trench that is accessible to the public. Pits and
trenches MUST be guarded by barricades, warning devices and covers.
Appendix 8.16
Installation Safety