Chapter 1
The Best Practices Manual - Version 18.0
The Best Practices Guide is the preeminent and trusted resource for underground damage prevention with more than 160 practices that cover all phases of the safe digging process. The practices included within this guide are agreed to by consensus of 16 industry stakeholder groups and are designed to improve worker safety, protect vital underground infrastructure, and ensure public safety during excavation activities conducted in the vicinity of existing underground facilities.
CGA releases a new edition of Best Practices every spring with all approved updates that reflect changes in damage prevention.
Best Practices 18.0 – New Practices and Modifications
During the past year, the CGA added and amended practices that appear in Version 18.0. The following new practices and modifications were approved by the Best Practices Committee and CGA Board:
- New Practice 2-19, Underground Electronic Utility Markers
- New Practice 6-19, As-Built Mapping of Underground Electronic Utility Markers
- Addition to Appendix B, Guideline for Underground Electronic Utility Marker Technology