Chapter 5
5.25 Notification of Emergency Personnel
Practice Statement:
If the damage results in the escape of any flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid or endangers life, health, or property, the excavator responsible immediately notifies 911 and the facility owner/operator.3 The excavator takes reasonable measures to protect everyone in immediate danger, the general public, property, and the environment until the facility owner/operator or emergency responders arrive and complete their assessment.4
Practice Description:
This practice is already required by many of the states’ one call legislation. This practice minimizes the danger to life, health, or property by notifying the proper authorities to handle the emergency situation. In these situations, local authorities are able to evacuate as appropriate and command substantial resources unavailable to the excavator or underground facility owner/operator. The excavator takes reasonable measures based on their knowledge, training, resources, experience, and understanding of the situation to protect themselves, people, property, and the environment until help arrives. The excavator responsible remains on-site to convey any pertinent information to responders that may help them to safely mitigate the situation.4
Reference:
- Existing state laws, including Kansas, Ohio, Oregon, and Minnesota