Page 83 - BCCGA Best Practices Version 3.0

82 British Columbia Common Ground Alliance
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: Providing that the hydroexcavating equipment has
been designed and engineered for excavation as per the manufacturer, it can be
used to excavate safely around utilities. To ensure the safe operation of the
equipment, ground disturbers must have at least the minimum set of
documents in place:
Ÿ Company safety program
Ÿ Written job procedures for hydroexcavation, and
Ÿ Contractor's equipment specifications and/or job procedures
The first two documents must be available and accessible for review upon
request by a representative of a facility owner.
4-31 FROZEN GROUND EXCAVATION
PRACTICE STATEMENT: For excavating within the tolerance zone around any
underground utility in frozen ground, the preferred method is to use a hydrovac
designed and built for this purpose.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: Using conventional mechanical excavation
equipment to excavate in the tolerance zone in frozen ground may damage a
buried facility surrounded by frozen ground. This practice may cause damage by
either direct contact to the underground plant or by moving the frozen ground
that encases the underground plant. The preferred method would be to use a
hydrovac with heated water (less than 45 degrees Celsius at the wand tip).
REFERENCE: This is a practice many ground disturbers currently use.
4-32 UTILITY OWNER ACCEPTANCE OF VACUUM EXCAVATION
PRACTICES
PRACTICE STATEMENT: The ground disturber contacts the utility owner to
determine what the restrictions are for using hydroexcavation practices around
the utility plant.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: Each utility has its own specific criterion for safe
excavating practices. This criterion includes having restrictions on the use of
hydroexcavation methods. If the ground disturber wishes to use this method,
he or she should contact the utility owner to find out which specific criterion is