Your Link to Natural Gas Pipeline Safety

Excavators Damage Prevention Guide

PIPELINES
AND PEOPLE

SAFE T Y
1

An Important Message about Digging Safely

Contents
2 Preventing Dig-in Damages Natural Gas Hazards  Important Facts About Natural Gas Safety 3  Utility Preventive Actions 4  Pipeline Markers  How to Recognize a Gas Leak  Did You Know? Pipeline damage  If You Make Contact With a Pipeline 6  Evacuation May Be Needed  Damage Repairs  Excess Flow Valves
A staker responds to a MISS DIG request and uses an electronic instrument to determine the approximate location of underground facilities.

13  Why Approximate Location  Facility Depth  Typical Distribution Gas Services and Mains  Typical Gas Transmission Lines  Cast Iron Mains  Typical Operating Pressures 14 P  ublic Act 53 of 1974 Protection of Underground Facilities 19 M  ichigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration Rules and Regulations  Excavation, Trenching and Shoring Locating Utility Lines 20  Consumers Energy Support Standards  Maximum Spacing Between Supports  Distribution Mains Maximum Spacing Between Supports  Transmission Pipelines  Main Parallel to Excavation 21  Crossing the Excavation 22 811 Call Before You Dig  Digging Safely Checklist  For More Information  Useful Web Sites

onsumers Energy is providing this handbook to excavation contractors as part of its Pipeline Public Awareness program. We want to share with you safe-digging practices to help protect your employees, the public and the environment. As one of Michigans largest natural gas companies, we operate and maintain more than 28,000 miles of natural gas pipelines that help us bring this important product to more than 1.7 million customers in Michigans Lower Peninsula. Pipelines help fuel our economy and way of life. Buried pipelines carry natural gas into our state from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico and Canada. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, pipelines are the safest, most reliable and cost-effective means of transporting energy products such as natural gas over long distances. We work with local, state and federal agencies in implementing programs to encourage safe-digging and pipeline-security practices and to ensure high-quality pipeline monitoring and maintenance. Please take the time to review this information and share it with your co-workers. Many of the provisions in this handbook are covered by Michigan law Public Act 53 of 1974 included in the back of this handbook. For more information: (800) 477-5050 www.consumersenergy.com/pipelinesafety

7  OSHA Requirements  Call 811  What Is the MISS DIG System? 8  When to Use the MISS DIG System  Remote Ticket Entry  Types of Requests that the MISS DIG System Handles 9  Preparing a Location Staking Request for MISS DIG 10  Location Accuracy Is Important

Electric Service Territory Combination Service Territory Gas Service Territory

 Rural Location Requests  What Happens After a Request Is Made? 11  Positive Response on Digging Request  Excavator Responsibilities After Making a Request  Follow These Steps for a Safe Construction Site

Preventing Dig-in Damages

Every year, there are thousands of dig-in damage incidents in Michigan. Striking an underground pipeline may lead to serious injury or death. If you hit one of our pipelines, call (800) 477-5050, even if there is no apparent damage.

Natural Gas Hazards

Natural gas pipelines are built with safety and reliability as the top priorities, following state and federal guidelines, regulations and specifications. However, you should know that a natural gas leak may present these hazards: Striking an underground pipeline may Fire lead to serious injury or death. Explosion  Asphyxiation (Natural gas displaces oxygen in confined spaces) These hazards may be created by uncontrolled escaping gas, caused by:  Rupturing, nicking or puncturing a pipeline  Extreme loading of materials over buried facilities (spoil piles, transport of equipment, outriggers)  Water main breaks that weaken roadways and pavement, damaging gas pipelines  Heavy ice on outside meters or gas pipelines  Collapsed buildings that break or damage gas pipelines  Fire or explosion near or directly involving a pipeline facility  Under- or overpressure in the gas system  Equipment failure  Human error Lightning  Extreme natural events such as floods, tornadoes and earthquakes  Civil disturbances such as riots

Natural gas cannot burn by itself. To burn, natural gas must be mixed with air. It also must have an ignition source such as static electricity, a pilot light, a lighted match, or an electric arc from a light switch, motor, doorbell or telephone. Burning natural gas will not explode. If natural gas does ignite, let it burn. Do not attempt to put out the flame. Natural gas follows the path of least resistance. Field conditions, such as a frost cap on the ground surface in the winter, may cause leaking gas to move beyond the immediate area and into sewers, phone ducts and other locations. Natural gas is almost 40 percent lighter than air. Natural gas rises and quickly spreads out in open areas. In an enclosed room or building, natural gas displaces air first at the ceiling level and then moves down toward the floor. Natural gas is not propane. Propane and other liquefied petroleum gases are different from natural gas because they are heavier than air and collect in low places.

Utility Preventive Actions

To protect the integrity of the natural gas system, Consumers Energy employees inspect and perform maintenance, such as corrosion-control and leak surveys, and replace pipeline when necessary. To help reduce or eliminate corrosion, a cause of pipeline leaks, the utility follows a comprehensive cathodic protection program that uses low-voltage electrical currents to prevent corrosion in steel pipelines and services. It also uses high-tech devices called smart pigs that move through transmission pipelines to locate any small weaknesses or dents along miles of underground pipeline walls. Utility employees monitor the gas transmission system and direct the flow of gas from a highly automated control center. Computers scan thousands of checkpoints. This system alerts controllers to any abnormal gas pressure, flow, temperature or quality and allows them to respond quickly to any natural gas emergency. High-tech devices called smart pigs move through transmission Excess flow valves have been installed in some service pipelines to detect defects. lines to stop the flow of gas if the service is damaged. Ground and aerial surveys also are used to check pipelines. At least once a year, employees walk all of the natural gas transmission pipelines. The distribution system also is surveyed for leaks. Survey intervals vary according to the type of pipe, pressure and other factors. In addition, field employees receive extensive training to maintain the gas system and respond to any possible problem. In an emergency, response plans are activated that may include assistance from local fire departments and other emergency team members.
3

Important Facts About Natural Gas Safety

Natural gas is colorless, tasteless and odorless. To make it easier to recognize natural gas, a rotten egg odor is added. This usually is done at the point where the gas enters the distribution system. The natural gas in most of Consumers Energys large transmission pipelines does not contain an odorant. Natural gas is not toxic. However, large concentrations of natural gas will displace the air in enclosed spaces, and asphyxiation may occur.
2

Engineering plans for significant civic projects, such as roads and sewers, are reviewed by Consumers Energy prior to construction to evaluate the projects potential impacts on the gas system.

Pipeline Markers
Consumers Energy uses various types of permanent pipeline markers (signs) to indicate the presence of natural gas pipelines. However, the markers do not indicate a pipelines exact location, its depth or the direction it follows. Markers may not be present in some areas. Pipeline markers usually are located at road, Pipeline markers identify the railroad and waterway crossings, and at regular inpipeline route and provide safety tervals across rural areas. They are yellow signs that information. identify the company, type of pipeline and provide an emergency phone number. Consumers Energy must be notified through MISS DIG before any excavation or demolition activity in the area of a pipeline regardless of the presence of Damage to pipelines from established line markers.

Did You Know?

excavation activities is a major cause of leaks.

How to Recognize a Gas Leak

If you snag a gas service with power equipment at a building with an inside meter, use the power equipment to break the service so that gas is blowing to atmosphere at the excavation. This will eliminate the risk of gas blowing inside the building if the pipe has separated at an inside pipe joint. Contact Consumers Energy immediately at (800) 477-5050 and evacuate the building until we can assure that gas has not accumulated in the structure.

Signs of a natural gas leak may include: About 87 percent of damages to Consumers  Rotten egg smell from distribution lines (natural gas in transmission lines usually does Energys gas system are not have an odor added) caused by excavating activities.  Blowing or hissing sound  Dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise Nearly 80 percent of all green area damages are caused by  Dirt or dust blowing from a hole in the ground professional excavators.  Bubbling in wet or flooded areas  Flames, if a leak has ignited Please consider any sign of a natural gas leak as an emergency that may put your safety and that of the public at risk. Notify Consumers Energy toll-free at (800) 477-5050 immediately if you observe any sign of a natural gas leak.

If You Make Contact With a Pipeline

If your equipment makes contact with a Consumers Energy pipeline, stop your excavation and contact the company immediately at (800) 477-5050. This includes nicks, dents, gouges, cuts, scrapes or scratches to the pipeline or its coating. Failure to notify the utility of these occurrences could result in future corrosion and/or pipeline failure. Call even if there is no apparent damage. DO NOT assume that damage occurs only at the contact point. A
4

pipeline that is pulled or bumped could break some distance away from the contact point. If an underground gas facility is damaged, the excavation machine operator must take immediate action to minimize the hazard:  Keep everyone away from the damage and upwind until a gas crew arrives to shut off gas. Consider the possibility of gas migrating to surrounding structures  If you can do so safely, without risking the ignition of any leaking gas, move your machine away from the damage. Do Not start an engine or motor that may already be off  If the machines motor stalls, DO NOT attempt to restart it. If you can do so safely, turn off the motor to prevent possible ignition of any gas and abandon the equipment D  O NOT cover the damaged pipe with dirt to try to stop the leak D  O NOT crimp plastic gas facilities because a spark from static electricity may ignite the gas D  O NOT attempt to plug damaged pipes. Allow the gas to vent into the atmosphere  If natural gas ignites, let it burn. DO NOT put out the flame. Burning gas will NOT explode  Notify Consumers Energy at (800) 477-5050  Call 911 for help from local law enforcement and fire departments D  O NOT use any matches, lighters or electrical devices that could ignite the gas D  O NOT try to shut off any natural gas valves
5

Evacuation May Be Needed

When gas is escaping from a broken pipe, buildings in the area may need to be evacuated. This is the responsibility of the excavator, according to Public Act 53. (Please see details on pages 14 19). If you have damaged a gas line and suspect leaking gas may be entering or blowing into a building, take immediate action:  Evacuate the occupants and leave the doors open  Notify Consumers Energy at (800) 477-5050 and call 911  Tell people they must not return to the building for any reason D  O NOT operate light switches, doorbells or use telephones in the building P  ROHIBIT smoking in the area  Keep people away from the leak area P  ROHIBIT the operation of machinery  Your prompt action may save lives or prevent serious injury or property damage D  O NOT leave a potentially hazardous situation to chance

Only qualified personnel, using proper safety equipment and materials, should repair or replace damaged pipelines.

OSHA Requirements
Contractors are subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) requirements. OSHA cites in its General Duty Clause the possible regulatory enforcement action that could be taken against excavation contractors who place their employees at risk by not using proper damage prevention practices. The lack of adequate damage prevention could subject the excavator to OSHA regulatory enforcement. OSHA information may be found at www.osha.gov.

Call 811
The option to call 811 to reach one-call centers such as the MISS DIG System went into effect nationwide in 2007. One easy call to 811 gets free marking of underground utility lines and helps protect against injury and expense. To know whats below, always call 811 toll-free before you dig. You also may reach MISS DIG at (800) 482-7171 or www.missdig.org. Consumers Energy and others promote damage prevention using the four key messages of the Common Ground Alliances Dig Safely program. Those messages, tailored to Michigan, are to:  Call MISS DIG System at least three full working days before excavation  Wait until the approximate locations of underground facilities are marked with flags or paint  Expose the underground utilities by hand-digging  Respect the markings by not damaging or removing them

Damage Repairs
Once notified that a pipeline or pipeline coating has been damaged, a utility or pipeline crew will be dispatched to make repairs. Only qualified personnel, using proper safety equipment and materials, are allowed to repair or replace damaged pipelines. Consumers Energy usually will bill for damage repairs if it is determined that the excavator has not complied with Public Act 53. To encourage reports of nicked coatings, the company generally will not bill for this repair.

Excess Flow Valves

Excavators should be aware of the possible presence of excess flow valves (EFVs). Since 1999, Consumers Energy has installed EFVs in certain new and replacement residential services. These valves typically are installed near the connection of the gas service to the gas main. An EFV will trip when gas flow exceeds the valves design limits. This might occur as a result of a gas service line being severed by damage or a natural event such as an earthquake or tornado damage to gas meters. The most popular EFV style allows a slight amount of gas to leak across the valve seat after the valve trips. Therefore, if a gas line with an EFV installed is severed, a small amount of gas will continue to flow. This may result in a potentially hazardous condition if not reported promptly to Consumers Energy. If your equipment contacts or severs a gas line, stop your excavation and contact the pipeline operator immediately. Once notified that a gas line has been damaged, a utility or pipeline crew will be dispatched to make repairs.

What Is the MISS DIG System?

The MISS DIG System is Michigans one-call notification system. It was formed in 1970 in Oakland County by four major Michigan utilities. The MISS DIG System was created to provide excavators and the public with a way to use one telephone call to inform multiple owners of underground facilities of nonemergency and emergency excavations. The MISS DIG System is a message-handling service that processes calls from those planning to dig and informs its affected members (utilities, municipalities, private companies, etc.) of the excavation plans.
7

MISS DIG System is not a utility, owns no underground facilities and does not provide locating services. It is the MISS DIG System members who are responsible for maintaining their underground facilities, maintaining all records of their facility locations and, under Public Act 53, marking the approximate location of their underground lines.

When to Use the MISS DIG System

Public Act 53 requires anyone who is planning or performing any type of excavation, including grading, demolition, cultivating, augering, blasting or boring, to provide notice to the MISS DIG System at least three full working days before starting any of those activities. The MISS DIG System is available to initiate locating requests 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 811 or (800) 482-7171 for emergency and nonemergency requests. For situations other than locating requests that involve Consumers Energy facilities, contact the utility directly at (800) 477-5050: To report damage to any type of Consumers Energy facility To resolve any type of damage billing problem with Consumers Energy  To request any type of Consumers Energy facility removal or relocation, including meter removals before demolition of a building To request gas or electric service from Consumers Energy

property or essential public services. Examples of emergencies include gas leaks, water main breaks, utility line repairs and sewer repairs. Emergency locating requests are accepted and responded to 24 hours a day, seven days a week  Re-staking requests: If the markings locating underground lines are obliterated, knocked down or become faded because of time, weather, construction or any other cause, the person performing the excavation or demolition must contact the MISS DIG System for a re-stake. Please provide the original MISS DIG System ticket number if possible  Contractor hotline requests: A Contractor Hotline Request program operates statewide and helps contractors obtain a response from a facility operator. This program assumes that the contractor previously made a staking request for the facility location to the MISS DIG System D  esign and survey requests: The MISS DIG System has developed a new voluntary Design and Survey Ticket program for engineers, architects and others involved in the development of civic projects. The purpose of the design and survey tickets is to initiate communications with underground facility owners during the early planning stages. Go to www.missdig.org for information and enrollment forms  Contractor assistance p rogram: The Contractor Assistance Program assists contractors who have problems complying with Public Act 53. Call the MISS DIG System Administration Office at (248) 370-6400 for forms

Preparing a Location Staking Request for MISS DIG

The MISS DIG Systems professional staff must obtain specific location information from a caller who wants to have underground facilities marked. The order of the questions is preset by a computer database. Caller preparation is beneficial. You will be asked several questions when you call the MISS DIG System, including:  Your name and phone number  The contractor or person doing the work  The geographical location city, village or township and county of the work area  The address where the work will be done  The type of work being done  Information about theexcavation area that identifies the boundaries for the utility representatives  When you plan to dig Once your project information is received by the MISS DIG System, it is given a ticket number. At the end of your conversation, the MISS DIG System operator will give you that ticket number. Please keep your ticket number, in case you need to refer to it in the future.

Remote Ticket Entry

The Remote Ticket Entry (RTE) program allows authorized users to enter the MISS DIG System and create locating requests on the Internet rather than by calling. To apply for RTE access, complete an application at www.missdig.org. See Ticket Entry under contractor tab for details.

Types of Requests that the MISS DIG System Handles

T  hree working days notice: This is the most common request processed by the MISS DIG System. This request is made in compliance with the state law requirement of three working days notice before digging. It involves a request to identify utility and pipeline facility locations at a specific address or area for a specific dig-start date. E  mergency notice: An emergency request may be necessary when there is a need to have underground facilities located due to a sudden or unexpected occurrence involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health,
8

A typical ticket is good for 21 days from the dig-start date. If your project will last longer than 21 days, you should have the ticket designated as a project ticket. This will extend the ticket life to 180 days. If you cannot maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from any overhead electric lines with the equipment you will be using on the job, please let the MISS DIG operator know. MISS DIG can request an overhead assistance appointment for you with the electric company. Appointments must be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Positive Response on Digging Request

Positive Response is a system housed at the MISS DIG System center that allows excavators to see if utilities have responded to their dig ticket requests. The Positive Response system is updated after a utility or locating contractor marks the site or clears the ticket. The updated status then may be retrieved by the requester of the ticket via the Internet or by using the interactive voice response system via a touchtone phone.

Location Accuracy Is Important

One of the most common mistakes excavators make is identifying an excavation location as within a village or city when actually it is in a township. This could happen since a mailing address would include the nearest village or city. Before you call, please check whether the excavation site is in a village, city or township.

Rural Location Requests

When you need staking at a rural excavation location, provide as much information as possible. For example, include which side of the road the digging will be on, the road name, the nearest crossroad to the address, and the name of the owner and/or renter at the location where you will be digging. Give the directions to this address from the nearest town including the name of the road(s) and distance(s). Additional information helps, such as rural fire department numbers, pedestal numbers, transformer numbers, mileage markers or any other landmarks that may help identify the location.

Excavator Responsibilities After Making a Request

Notifying the MISS DIG System is only the first responsibility someone making a locating request must fulfill. To avoid damaging underground facilities and to ensure public and employee safety, excavators must comply with all sections of Public Act 53.

Follow these steps for a safe construction site

Contact MISS DIG System at least three full working days but not more than 21 calendar days before excavating, digging, augering, boring, grading, discharging explosives, tunneling or building demolition. The approximate locations of Consumers Energys natural gas facilities will be marked with yellow flags, paint or both. Based on the state law, the approximate location is defined as a strip of land three feet wide, but not wider than the width of the facility plus an 18-inch clearance on either side of the facility. The excavator must determine the precise location of staked underground facilities by hand exposing from the ground surface down to the facility. (See following page for information on approximate location and depth.) Hand exposing means careful use of a wood-handled shovel to probe and/ or uncover a pipe, cable or structure to avoid damaging the facility. Expose the facility across the entire width of the proposed excavation. Where the excavation is near underground gas facilities, sufficient hand exposing must be done to ensure that the pipe will not be damaged. Hand exposing must be done before using power equipment. Generally, hand exposure is not necessary if the marks are 5 feet or more from the proposed excavation. Excavators should hand expose far enough in advance to allow time to secure Consumers Energys assistance and still avoid project delays.
11

What Happens After a Request Is Made?

After the locating request is made, the MISS DIG System analyzes the information to identify which utilities or pipeline operators should be notified. MISS DIG System then transmits the request to the appropriate members such as Consumers Energy. Once it is determined that markings are required, the request is assigned to a field locator who will locate and mark the excavation site with paint, stakes and/or flags. Facilities are marked according to specific guidelines and color codes. Yellow is used for natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum or other gaseous materials. Phone and cable television lines are marked with orange. Electric is marked with red, water with blue, storm drains with green and sewers with brown. Surveying marks are in pink. Consumers Energy is responsible only for marking the portions of facilities that it operates or maintains. The utility will not mark privately installed facilities such as gas lines from houses to garages, outbuildings, generators, grills or lights. Consumers Energy has gas damage prevention field leaders who work with excavators when there are difficulties in locating underground facilities. For more information, go to www.consumersenergy.com/pipelinesafety.

10

Call MISS DIG with your ticket number and request a restake for any of the following reasons:  If there are no stakes or markings at your job site after your dig-start date, but there is evidence that buried gas lines may be in the area (gas meters, pipeline markers, etc.)  If stakes or markings at the construction site are knocked down or obliterated, or become faded because of time, weather or any other cause  If you are unable to find and hand expose the gas facility at the marked location You must have a valid MISS DIG ticket that has not yet expired in order to request a restake. Consumers Energy generally will respond to restake requests within three hours. Excavators must exercise reasonable care while working around exposed gas pipes or near unexposed gas pipes. This means hand digging if underground facilities are likely to be present. Excavators boring or augering under, over or in close proximity to underground gas lines must hand expose the gas line to ensure that the bore shot will not contact the line. This includes hand exposing gas lines under roads. In such situations, make a window in the road to ensure there will be no contact. Excavators must avoid driving over valve boxes and regulator vaults. Excavators must support exposed gas services and gas mains to prevent damage in the excavation area from cave-ins, pipe movement, settlements and washouts. See Consumers Energy support standards on Page 20. Before backfilling, excavators must notify Consumers Energy of any damage to the coating of any underground facilities, including nicks, dents, gouges, cuts, scrapes or scratches so proper repairs can be made. Failure to notify the company of these damages could result in future corrosion and/or pipe failure. Also before backfilling, excavators must inform Consumers Energy if any of the following were discovered during the excavations:  Threaded joints and mechanical fittings  Damaged or gouged pipe  Damaged cathodic lead wire and/or valve boxes  Broken locating wire in plastic facilities  Damaged coating or wrapping on pipelines Normally, there is no charge for making repairs in the above situations. Qualified personnel need to inspect the pipeline and perform the needed work. When backfilling, it is important that valve boxes and lead wires boxes are not buried or made inaccessible.

Why Approximate Location

The stakes and/or flags provide only the approximate location of underground utility facilities. This is because locating underground facilities is not an exact science. Electronic locating equipment has limited capabilities. The actual facility location could vary from the position of the flags or marks.

Facility Depth
Consumers Energy does not provide information on the depth of underground facilities. Locating equipment depth readouts are not accurate enough to determine facility depth. The utility follows certain depth requirements or guidelines when installing lines, but it cannot control depth variations resulting from human intervention or natural events. Grade changes, landscaping, erosion, frost and other factors may affect the depth of underground facilities over time. Do not assume the depth of a gas facility. It is the excavators responsibility to expose the facility by hand to determine its depth.

Typical Distribution Gas Services and Mains

Sizes Material 1/2" Copper, Plastic, Steel Tubing 3/4" Steel 1" Copper, Steel, Plastic, Steel Tubing 1 1/4" Steel, Plastic 2" Steel, Plastic 3" Steel, Plastic, Cast Iron 4" Steel, Plastic, Cast Iron 6" Steel, Plastic, Cast Iron 8" Steel, Plastic, Cast Iron 10" Steel, Cast Iron 12" Steel, Cast Iron Typical Gas Transmission Lines 12" to 36" Steel

Cast Iron Mains

Generally, cast iron mains will be replaced if they will be undermined by excavating activity or are located within the zone of influence. In areas where cast iron mains are not replaced, Consumers Energy will instruct contractors on the appropriate means of support and backfill compaction.

Typical Operating Pressures

Standard Pressure = Less than one pound Medium Pressure = 7 lbs. to 55 lbs. psi. High Pressure = 55 lbs. to 960 lbs. psi.
13

12

Public Act 53 of 1974 Protection of Underground Facilities

An act to protect the public safety by providing for notices to public utilities by persons or public agencies engaged in certain construction related activities near underground facilities or demolishing buildings containing utility facilities; to provide for notices to affected parties when underground facilities are damaged; and to prescribe penalties.

Section 4 Underground facility lists; filing; contents

A public utility having underground facilities in a county shall file with the clerk of the county a list containing the name of every city, village, township and section within the township in the county in which it has underground facilities, the name of the public utility and the title and address of its representatives designated to receive the written notice of intent required by section 5.

460.701 Definitions Section 1. As used in this act:

Section 5 Notice of intent to excavate or discharge explosive; methods; contents

Association means the MISS DIG utilities communications programs. Person includes an individual, partnership, corporation, association or any other legal entity. Person does not mean a public agency. Public agency means the state, city, village, township, county or any other governmental entity or municipality. Public utility means a natural gas company subject to the jurisdiction of the federal energy regulatory commission or an electric, steam, gas, telephone, power, water or pipeline company subject to the jurisdiction of the public service commission pursuant to Act No. 3 of the Public Acts of 1939, as amended, being sections 460.1 to 460.8 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, Act No. 9 of the Public Acts of 1929, being sections 483.101 to 483.120 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, Act No. 16 of the Public Acts of 1929, being sections 483.1 to 483.11 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, Act No. 19 of the Public Acts of 1967, as amended, being sections 486.551 to 486.571 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, Act No. 165 of the Public Acts of 1969, being sections 483.151 to 483.162 of the Michigan Compiled Laws or the Michigan telecommunications act, Act No. 179 of the Public Acts of 1991, being sections 484.2101 to 484.2605 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, a person or public agency owning or operating cable television facilities, and a public agency, other than the state transportation department, owning public service facilities for supplying water, light, heat, gas, power, telecommunications, sewage disposal, storm drains or storm water drainage facilities. This act does not apply to a person or public agency using only nonpowered hand tools in performing excavating or tunneling operations described herein. A person or public agency shall not discharge explosives, excavate or tunnel in a street, highway, public place, a private easement of a public utility or near the location of a public utility facility owned, maintained or installed on a customers premises or demolish a building containing a public utility facility without having first ascertained in the manner prescribed in sections 5 or 7 of the location of all underground facilities of a public utility in the proposed area of excavation, discharging of explosives, tunneling or demolition.

(1) Except as provided in sections 7 and 9, a person or public agency responsible for excavating or tunneling operations, drilling or boring procedures or discharge of explosives in a street, highway, other public place, a private easement for a public utility or near the location of utility facilities on a customers property, or demolition of a building containing a utility facility, shall give written or telephone notice to the association as required in section 7 on intent to excavate, tunnel, discharge explosives or demolish at least two full working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, but not more than 21 calendar days, before commencing the excavating, demolishing, discharging of explosives, tunneling operations, or drilling or boring procedures. Beginning on October 1, 1990, the notice required in this subsection shall be given at least three full working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, but not more than 21 calendar days, before commencing the excavating, demolishing, discharging of explosives, tunneling operations, or drilling or boring procedures. (2) The written or telephone notice of intent shall contain the name, address and telephone number of the person or public agency filing the notice of intent, the name of the person or public agency performing the excavation, discharging of explosives, tunneling or demolition, the date and type of excavating, discharging of explosives, demolishing, drilling or boring procedure or tunneling operation to be conducted and the location of the excavation, tunneling, discharging of explosives, drilling, boring or demolition.

Section 2 Nonpowered hand tools

Section 6 Compliance as prerequisite to permits from public agencies

A public agency that pursuant to law requires a person to obtain a permit, shall require as a condition of the permit that the person shall comply with the requirement of this act.

Section 3 Location of underground facilities; necessity

Section 7 Associations of public utilities for mutual receipt of notification of construction

(1) Public utilities having underground facilities shall form and operate an association providing for mutual receipt of notification of construction activities in those areas served by public utilities having underground facilities. Notification to the association formed and operated by the public utilities shall be considered to be notice to each public utility having underground facilities within the proposed areas of excavation, discharging of explosives, tunneling, demolition, drilling or boring. Notification to the association shall be effected in writing as set forth in section 5 or by telephone call, providing
15

14

the same information required by section 5, made by the person or public agency responsible for the excavating, demolishing, discharging of explosives, drilling or boring procedures or tunneling operations. A public utility owned by a public agency shall participate in and receive the services furnished by the association and shall pay their share of the costs and services furnished, but shall not be required to become a member of the association. The association, whose members of participants have underground facilities within a county, shall file with the clerk of the county a description of the geographical area served by the association and list the name and address of every member and participating public utility. (2) If notification is made by telephone, an adequate record shall be maintained by the association to document compliance with the requirements of this act.

If the precise location of the underground facilities cannot be established, the person or public agency shall then notify the public utility, which shall no later than one working day after the notice provide such further assistance as may be needed to determine the precise location of the underground facilities in advance of the proposed excavating, tunneling, discharging of explosives, drilling or boring procedures or demolition operations. Where demolition of a building is proposed and the public utility is notified, it shall be given reasonable time to remove or protect its facilities before demolition of the building.

Section 9 Emergencies

Section 8 Underground facilities; information as to location; facilities removal and protection

Not less than one working day in advance of proposed construction, unless otherwise agreed between the person or public agency performing the excavation, discharging of explosives, drilling, boring, tunneling or demolition and the public utility, a public utility served with notice pursuant to section 5 or 7 shall inform the person or public agency of the approximate location of the underground facilities owned or operated by the public utility in the proposed area of excavation, discharging of explosives, drilling, boring, tunneling or demolition, in a manner that enables the person or public agency to employ hand-dug test holes or other similar means of establishing the precise location of the underground facilities using reasonable care to establish the precise location of the underground facilities in advance of construction. For the purposes of this act, the approximate location of underground facilities is defined as a strip of land at least 36 inches wide, but not wider than the width of the facility plus 18 inches on either side of the facility. If the approximate location of an underground facility is marked with stakes or other physical means, the public utility shall follow the color coding prescribed in this section. All safety alert orange markings shall include the name or type of the company who owns the underground facility to be marked.
Utility and Type Electric power distribution and transmission Municipal electric systems Gas distribution and transmission Oil distribution and transmission Dangerous materials, product lines Telephone and telegraph systems Cable television Police and fire communications Water systems Sewer systems Storm drains Land survey monumentation Specific Group of Product Identifying Color Safety red Safety red High-visibility Safety yellow High-visibility Safety yellow High-visibility Safety yellow Safety alert orange Safety alert orange Safety alert orange Safety precaution blue Safety brown Safety green High visibility safety pink

(1) In case of an emergency involving danger to life, health or property, or which requires immediate correction in order to continue the operation of a major industrial plant or to assure the continuity of public utility service, excavation, maintenance or repairs may be made without using explosives if notice and advice thereof, in writing or otherwise, are given to the public utility or association as soon as reasonably possible. (2) In case of an emergency involving an immediate and substantial danger of death or serious personal injury, explosives may be discharged if notice and advice thereof, in writing or otherwise, are given to a public utility or an association at any time before the discharge is undertaken.

Section 10 Permits otherwise required; working agreements between public utilities and contractor associations

This act shall not be construed to authorize, affect or impair local ordinances, charters or other provisions of law requiring permits to be obtained before excavating or tunneling in a public street or highway or to construct or demolish buildings or other structures on private property nor construed to grant to any person or public agency any rights not specifically provided by this act. A permit issued by a public agency shall not be deemed to relieve a person from the responsibility for complying with the provisions of this act. The failure of any person, who has been granted a permit, to comply with the provisions of this act shall not be deemed to impose any liability upon the public agency issuing the permit. This act shall not preclude establishment of working agreements between public utilities and contractor associations to accomplish the intent and purpose of this act. Upon receiving the information provided for in sections 5 or 7, a person or public agency excavating, tunneling or discharging explosives shall exercise reasonable care when working in close proximity to the underground facilities of any public utility. If the facilities are to be exposed, or are likely to be exposed, only hand-digging shall be employed in such circumstances and such support, as may be reasonably necessary for protection of the facilities, shall be provided in and near the construction area.

Section 11 Reasonable care; hand digging, support

16

17

Section 12 Damage to underground facility; notice; repairs; evacuation

Section 17 Severability provision

When any contact with or damage to any pipe, cable or its protective coating or any other underground facility of a public utility occurs, the public utility shall be notified immediately by the person or public agency responsible for the operations causing the damage. Upon receiving the notice, the public utility shall dispatch personnel to the location as soon as possible to effect temporary or permanent repair of the damage. If a serious electrical short is occurring or if dangerous fluids or gases are escaping from a broken line, the person or public agency responsible for the operations causing the damage shall evacuate the immediate area while awaiting the arrival of the public utility personnel. This act does not affect any civil remedies for damage to public utility facilities and does not affect any civil remedies a person may have for actual damage to the persons property caused by a public utilitys negligence in staking its facilities, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this act.

If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any person or public agency or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act and the application of such provision to other persons or public agencies or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. This act shall become effective August 1, 1974.

Section 18 Effective date

Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration Rules and Regulations

Filed with the secretary of state on August 17, 1979 (as amended November 23, 1982) (as amended January 11, 1988) (as amended July 8, 1993) (as amended September 3, 1996) This rule takes effect 15 days after filing with the secretary of state (By authority conferred on the director of the department of consumer and industry services by sections 19 and 21 of Act No. 154 of the Public Acts of 1974, as amended, and Executive Reorganization Order No. 1996-2, being 408.1019, 408.1021, and 445.2001 of the Michigan compiled Laws) For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mioshastandards or www. osha.gov.

Section 13 Civil remedies for damage

Section 14 Damage to underground facility; negligence; failure to comply with the act

In a civil action in a court of this state, when it is shown by competent evidence that damage to the underground facilities of a public utility resulted from excavating, tunneling, drilling or boring procedures, demolishing operations or the discharge of explosives, as described in section 3 and that the person responsible for giving the notice of intent to excavate, tunnel, demolish or discharge explosives failed to give the notice, or the person did not employ hand-digging or failed to provide support, the person shall be liable for the resulting damage to the underground facilities, but the liability for damages shall be reduced in proportion to the negligence of the public utility if it fails to comply with section 8. A person who damages the facilities of a public utility on more than three occasions on any one construction contract location because of his or her failure to comply with any of the provisions of this act may be enjoined from engaging in any further excavating, demolition, discharging of explosives, drilling or boring procedures or tunneling work within the state, except under such terms and conditions as the court may prescribe to insure the safety of the public. A court may prescribe such penalties as it considers necessary or appropriate for violation of the injunctive order up to a maximum of $5,000.00 per violation. A person who willfully removes or otherwise destroys the stakes or other physical markings used by a public utility to mark the approximate location of underground facilities is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not more than $5,000 for each offense or imprisoned for not more than one year or both.

Part 9. Excavation, Trenching and Shoring R 408.40931 Locating Utility Lines

Section 15 Violations; injunctions; penalties

Section 16 Willful violations; penalties

Rule 931. (1) An employer shall not excavate in a street, highway, public place, a private easement of a public utility, or near the location of a public utility facility owned, maintained, or installed on a customers premise, without having first ascertained the location of all underground facilities of a public utility in the proposed area of excavation. (2) Upon receiving the information from the public utility, an employer shall exercise reasonable care when working in close proximity to the underground facilities of any public utility. If the facilities are to be exposed, or are likely to be exposed, only hand digging shall be employed in such circumstances and such support, as may be reasonably necessary for protection of the facilities, shall be provided in and near the construction area. (3) When any contact with or damage to any pipe, cable or its protective coating, or any other underground facility of a public utility occurs, the public utility shall be notified immediately by the employer responsible for operations causing the damage. If an energized electrical cable is severed, an energized conductor is exposed, or dangerous fluids or gasses are escaping from a broken line, the employer shall evacuate the employees from the immediate area while awaiting the arrival of the public utility personnel.

18

19

Consumers Energy Support Standards

Maximum Spacing Between Supports
Use the table below to determine the number of supports needed to support main during and after construction.
Maximum Spacing Between Supports (feet) Pipe Size In inches 1-1/4" 2" 3" 4" 6" 8" 10" 12" 16" Steel Temporary 15' 25' 35' 45' 55' 60' 65' 70' Permanent 6' 6' 10' 13' 15' 18' 20' 25' 25' 30' 35' 40' 45' 50' Plastic Temporary Permanent 5' 6' 7' 8' 9' 10'

Installing Permanent Supports Caution: Protect the pipe at support points with old tires or equivalent.

Distribution Mains
OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C

Option A  Install 6 inch x 6 inch timber or utility pole below finish grade and leave in place. Option B  Install 6 inch x 6 inch timber on 2 inch x 12 inch plate on stable soil. Option C Install 6 foot log or timber deadman at least 4 feet into firm soil. Use compacted sand under the pipe in the open trench in lieu of permanent physical supports.

Transmission Pipelines

The length of pipeline to be exposed shall not exceed 25 feet. Backfilling shall be performed so as to avoid damage to the pipe and coating and to provide firm support.

Crossing the Excavation

Installing temporary supports Caution: Protect the pipe at support points with old tires or equivalent. Use a Class 4 or better utility pole. Acceptable alternates include 6 inch x .219 inch wall pipe or 6 inch x 3 3/8 inch I-beam. Before removing any temporary supports,  completely compact the backfill or install permanent supports if natural settlement is not complete. Installing Permanent Supports Caution: Protect the pipe at support points with old tires or equivalent. Use a Class 4 or better utility pole. Acceptable alternates include 6 inch by .219 inch wall pipe or 6 inch x 3 3/8 inch I-beam. Use compacted sand under the pipe in the open trench in lieu of permanent physical supports.

Main Parallel to Excavation

Installing temporary supports Caution: Protect the pipe at support points with old tires or equivalent.

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

OPTION 3

Option 1 Use a Class 4 or better utility pole. Option 2 Use a 4 inch post driven 4 feet deep. Option 3 Use an 8 foot screw anchor guy and 1 inch steel bar. Before removing any temporary supports, completely compact the backfill or install permanent supports if natural settlement is not complete.

20

21

One easy call gets free staking of underground utility linesand helpsreduce the chance ofinjury and expense. To know whats below, always call 811 toll-free before you dig. You also may continue to reach MISS DIG at (800) 482-7171. THIS SERVICE IS FREE.

Digging Safely Checklist

C  all 811 three full working days before digging C  omply with Public Act 53 rules H  and dig and expose underground pipelines and facilities when necessary R  eport any contact with pipes including nicks, dents, gouges, cuts, scrapes or scratches so proper repairs may be made. Failure to notify the company of these damages could result in future corrosion and/or pipe failure. Call Consumers Energy toll-free at (800) 477-5050

For More Information

Call Consumers Energy toll-free at (800) 477-5050 if you have questions about natural gas, natural gas pipelines, damage prevention or other natural gas safety issues.

Useful Web Sites

Call 811 To know whats below, always call 811 toll-free before you dig. www.call811.com MISS DIG Michigans one-call utility notification organization www.missdig.org Common Ground Alliance Damage prevention is a shared responsibility www.commongroundalliance.com Occupational Safety and Health Administration Promotes safe working conditions www.osha.gov www.michigan.gov/mioshastandards Consumers Energy Pipeline Public Awareness www.consumersenergy.com/pipelinesafety

16268 62-57232 2.5M 3/09

One Energy Plaza Jackson, MI 49201-2276 www.consumersenergy.com