ERMUSR Misc Issues 07-12-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Continued from page 1 New Rules ctiye underground facilities installed after shat date. .An exemption exists Ior minor repairs. 7560.0225, subd. 3 Locate Defined a Locate as remaining valid for 14 days from the excavation com- mencement time. 7560.250 Locating Changes the rules related to locating in several new ways. Nuw locators must. • Use suitable methods of marking based on the surface condition (paint or flags). • Provide the "approximate route" of the underground facility. • Indicate the name, abbreviation or Lugo if more than one operator using the same AP~~'A color is un the ticket. • \-lark tkte width of all facilities wider than 8" • Indicate the number of facilities (if more than one). • Starting ]anuary 1, ?006 partici- pate in "Positive Response". (Note: this will be the subjer.t of an article in the Fall Newsletter.) 7560.0325 Emergency Excavation. In an unusual policy move, 1~1nOps has now indicated that an excavator can com- mence emergency excavation prior to con- tacting GSOC. Now notice must be given "as soon as practicable." However, several clarifications have been made to the emergency excavation process: • The excavator must provide a con- tinuously staffed telephone num- ber throughout the emergency. • The actual start time, if not imme- diate must be provided. • The facility operator must attempt to contact the excavator within I hour of the issuance of a ticket and locate within 3 hours (unless delayed start is to occur). 7560.0350 Meets. Meets have never been ether defined or clearly delineated under Minnesota law. Now the Rules provide: • Excavators must provide a contact Continued from prxge 3 New Rules (name and telephone number) to facilitate in scheduling the meet. • Excavators must tell C~OC the entire excavation area at the time of filing the ticket. • Excavators must also use white paint (unless impractical). • Excavation cannot begin prior to one (I) business da}' after the meet. • Excavators must maintain written documentation of each meet contain- ing at least the following: - Date and time of ;~'1eet - Name, company affiliates and con- tact information fur each attendee at a 1~1ect. - the precise excavation lneation, dates and times (in a sketch, dia- gram or description) - agreed schedule of all future Meets. 7560.0375 Locating Service Laterals. Avery controversial and difficult series of issues were identified and addressed in con- nection with this requirement. • Operators oI gas (natural or propane) or electric facilities must locate serv- ice lateral up to either (i) the meter, or (ii) the connection to the c us- tomer's underground facility, whichever is closer to the `'end-use customer." However, at a minimum, the operator must at least locate the entire service lateral in the public right-of-way. • Operators of communication facili- ties must locate the service lateral up to the entry of the first building. if no building is present up to the fence or wall that surrounds the equipment. • Operators of sewage or water facili- tres must after December 31, 2005 locate or provide any information available on those laterals up to where the service lateral leaves the public right-of-way. If no informa- tion is available, this requirement is waived. • Operators must maintain records of sewer or water laterals installed after December 31, 2005.