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

**Citation:** 49 CFR 196.103  
**Type / status:** regulation / current  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** 2026-08-18  
**Published:** Not stated

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 op

## Document text

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.

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2026-08-18/title-49/section-196.103>
- Source ID: `ecfr`
- SHA-256: `b4b4b8e1db6480f0da2ce26855ec35c7ebbcb9c6b274785e2ce0f9917358a6b0`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T05:54:44.792Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T16:01:03.203Z
- Document slug: `49-cfr-196-103`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "cfrTitle": 49,
  "part": "196",
  "section": "196.103",
  "subpart": "Subpart B—Damage Prevention Requirements",
  "corpusVersion": "2026-08-18",
  "jurisdiction": "US"
}
```