A.    Purpose.

To provide guidelines for digging and excavation operations on university property.

- Applies to all university departments and activities, as well as other persons on university
   property.
- Applies to ALL penetrations of soil on university property accomplished with shovels,
   backhoes, trenchers, axes, posthole diggers, tent stakes, or ground rods.

1.    General Statement.
In accordance with North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSHA) standards, any individual who has a need to dig or excavate on university property must receive written permission from the Director of the Physical Plant (or designee) before commencing digging or excavation operations. The Director of the Physical Plant is responsible for ensuring that all applicable regulations are followed during any digging/ excavation processes performed by Physical Plant employees or by any personnel contracted by the Director of Physical Plant. When other labor is used, the person(s) conducting the digging/excavation operations are responsible for ensuring all applicable regulations are followed.

2.    UNCW Digging and Excavation Manual.
A Digging and Excavation Manual is maintained by the Physical Plant department and will be made available upon request to individuals anticipating digging and/or excavation operations. This manual provides guidelines and specifies requirements and restrictions regarding these activities.

3.    Responsibility for Damages.
Any persons or organizations digging without proper authorization will be responsible for repair costs to damaged underground utilities.

Person(s) desiring to dig on university property must complete and submit a Digging and Excavating Request form and an area sketch to the Director of Physical Plant a minimum of three working days in advance of the proposed digging operations to allow for proper clearance and investigation.

Click here to get a blank form in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. You may fill out the PDF form on-line and print for signature, or you may print a blank copy of the PDF form and fill out by hand or typewriter. The Physical Plant office will provide a Digging and Excavation Manual upon request.