Page 67 - CCGA Best Practices Version English

Practice Description: Excavators shall have as a minimum:
• A documented company Safety Program in place which can be made
available for review on request by a representative of a facility owner.
• Written vacuum excavation Job Procedures must be in place and made
available for review on request by a representative of a facility owner.

• The contractor’s equipment specifications and or job procedures must
comply with applicable regulations.

4-31: Frozen Ground Excavation

Practice Statement: A preferred method for excavating within the
tolerance zone around any underground utility in frozen ground is to use a
hydrovac designed and built for this purpose.

Practice Description: Conventional excavation methods in frozen ground
pose a risk to buried facilities if the facility is surrounded by frozen ground.
The use of conventional mechanical excavation equipment can not only
damage plant via direct contact but can also move frozen ground encasing
plant; potentially causing damage.
The best practice for excavating in the tolerance zone in frozen ground is to
use a hydrovac with heated water not exceeding 45 degrees C at the wand
tip. This is currently the practice used by many vacuum excavators.

4-32: Utility Owner Acceptance of Vacuum Excavation
Practices

Practice Statement: Each utility has a specific criterion for safe excavating
practices. Some utilities view Vacuum Excavation as the equivalent to hand
digging when exposing their utility and others have restrictions on their use.
It is recommended excavators contact the utility owners to determine the
extent of their restrictions for the use of this method of excavation around
their plant.
Practice Description: Every excavator who wishes to utilize vacuum
excavation as a method to excavate within the “tolerance zone” of any
underground plant should contact the owner of the utility to determine the
specific criteria they deem acceptable prior to starting the excavation. Some
utilities will accept this practice as the equivalent to hand digging; others
may have very specific procedures and operating criteria that need to be
followed.
Utility owners generally recognize the benefits for damage prevention by
utilizing this process. Utility owners should work together to establish a
common set of standards, process and procedures that can be accepted by
all damage prevention stake holders.

Canadian Common Ground Alliance
Best Practices Version 3.0 – October 2018
61