Electrical Safety During Excavations

DOE-HDBK-1092-2004

11.0 ELECTRICAL SAFETY DURING EXCAVATIONS

This section provides information and guidance for detecting underground and embedded

utilities. It focuses on the need for configuration control of these utilities, as well as establishing

and maintaining a procedure to identify these hazards prior to assigning work near them. Such a

procedure can be a significant element in the site's Electrical Safety Program as well as a

critical element of an ongoing Safety Through Damage Prevention Program. Sites which have

such procedures have demonstrated significant reductions in the numbers and serious nature of

electrical injuries and utilities damage sustained during excavations.

11.1 GENERAL

Occurrences involving unexpected contact with underground or embedded utilities during

excavations, concrete drilling and earth moving operations can occur at DOE facilities and

throughout private industry.

Inadvertent striking of underground utilities can result in electrical shock, injuries, explosions,

utility outages and death. These pipes, wires or conduits are frequently missing from as-built or

other record drawings.

Large-scale decontamination and decommissioning (D&D), environmental restoration, and new

construction projects performed at DOE facilities bring with them a significant risk of contact with

underground or embedded utilities. It is therefore essential that effective policies and

procedures be implemented to control and minimize this risk.

11.2 REGULATIONS, CODES AND REFERENCES

a. 29 CFR 1910.335, Personal Protective Equipment

b. 29 CFR 1926.416, Protection of Employees

c. 29 CFR 1926.651, Specific Excavation Requirements

d. DOE/EH-0541, Issue number 96-06 (1996), Underground Utilities Detection And

Excavation

e. DOE Operating Experience Summary 2001-12, Backhoe Ruptured a Natural Gas Line

During Excavation

DOE Operating Experience Summary 2002-10, Temporary Electrical Power Line

Severed By Trackhoe

g. DOE Operating Experience Summary 2003-09, Energized Power Line Damaged During

Excavation

h. DOE Operating Experience Summary 2003-18, Underground Electrical Cable Snagged

And Cut

DOE-STD-1073, Configuration Management

11-1