Ch. 208

1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(iii) After receipt of a notice from a contractor of an intent to excavate
at a specific location, determine within 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
holidays) whether a proposed excavation is planned within 5 feet of the horizontal plane
of an underground facility, or whether a proposed excavation, by blasting, is planned in
such proximity to an underground facility that the facility may be disturbed or damaged;

(iv) Notify the contractor within 48 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, and legal holidays) after receipt of a notice if an underground facility might be
disturbed or damaged;

(v) Mark the location of an underground facility within 18 inches on a
horizontal plane on either side of the facility if the owner determines that a proposed
excavation is planned within 5 feet of the horizontal underground facility, or if a proposed
excavation, by blasting, is planned in such proximity to the underground facility that the
facility may be disturbed or damaged;

(vi) Use the following color code when marking the location of an
underground facility:

UTILITY TYPE AND PRODUCT                SPECIFIC GROUP

IDENTIFYING COLOR           

Electric power distribution                               Safety red

and transmission

Municipal electric systems                               Safety red

Gas distribution and                                        High visibility safety

transmission                                                      yellow

Oil distribution and                                         High visibility safety

transmission                                                      yellow

Dangerous materials,                                        High visibility safety

product lines, and                                            yellow

steam lines

Telephone and                                                 Safety alert orange

telecommunications

Cable television                                                Safety alert orange

Water systems                                                   Safety precaution blue

Sewer lines                                                       Safety green;

(vii) Notify the contractor of the date and time when a location will be
marked if the marking cannot be completed within 48 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, and legal holidays);                                                                         

(viii) Excavate around an underground facility in a timely manner if the
owner elects to perform a proposed excavation itself; and

(ix) Notify the contractor within 48 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, and legal holidays) of notification required by subsection (e) of this section that
marking is unnecessary if:

1.       The owner does not have an underground facility at the
location stated in the notice;

2.       The proposed excavation is not planned within 5 feet of the
horizontal plane of an underground facility; or

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