Where an underground facility has been staked, marked or otherwise designated by the operator and the tolerance zone overlaps with any part of the work area, or the projected line of a bore/directional drill intersects the tolerance zone, the excavator shall verify the precise location, type, size, direction of run and depth of such underground facility or its encasement. Verification shall be completed before the excavation or demolition is commenced or shall be performed as the work progresses.
(a) Powered or mechanized equipment may be used within the tolerance zone for removal of pavement or masonry but only to the depth of such pavement or masonry.
(1) Below the depth of pavement or masonry, powered equipment may be used in the tolerance zone prior to the verification of the location of facilities when agreed to in writing by the affected operator(s).
(2) Operators, or their agents and contractors working under their direction, may use powered equipment to located their own facilities within the tolerance zone.
(b) The verification of underground facilities furnishing gas or liquid petroleum products shall be accomplished by the excavator by exposing the underground facility or its encasement to view by means of hand dug test holes at one or more points where the work area and tolerance zone overlap, or more points as designated by the operators of such facilities.
(c) The verification of underground facilities other than those furnishing gas or liquid petroleum products shall be performed at one or more points for each such underground facility as may be required by the operator. Verification shall be accomplished by exposing the underground facility or its encasement to view by hand dug test holes or by other means mutually agreed to by the excavator and operator.