49 CFR § 196.103 - What must an excavator do to protect underground pipelines from excavation-related damage?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s196.103"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 196.103 - What must an excavator do to protect underground pipelines from excavation-related damage?"
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "196.103"
section_name: "What must an excavator do to protect underground pipelines from excavation-related damage?"
chapter_name: "PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "PIPELINE SAFETY"
part_number: "196"
part_name: "PROTECTION OF UNDERGROUND PIPELINES FROM EXCAVATION ACTIVITY"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 60101  and 49 CFR 1.97."
regulatory_source: "80 FR 43866, July 23, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "196"
---


# 196.103 What must an excavator do to protect underground pipelines from excavation-related damage?

Prior to and during excavation activity, the excavator must:

(a) Use an available one-call system before excavating to notify operators of underground pipeline facilities of the timing and location of the intended excavation;

(b) If underground pipelines exist in the area, wait for the pipeline operator to arrive at the excavation site and establish and mark the location of its underground pipeline facilities before excavating;

(c) Excavate with proper regard for the marked location of pipelines an operator has established by taking all practicable steps to prevent excavation damage to the pipeline;

(d) Make additional use of one-call as necessary to obtain locating and marking before excavating to ensure that underground pipelines are not damaged by excavation.