excavator truck digging with back hoe on construction site

Buried facilities

Use these clearance guidelines when working around buried facilities. Keep in mind: Existing grades can change, and the current depth of an electric or natural gas line may be different than when originally installed.

Michigan digging clearance requirements

Unexposed facilities

Hand digging must be performed when working within 48 inches from each side of facility markings.
hand dig area within 48 inches from each side of buried unexposed facility

Exposed facilities

After facilities have been exposed by hand and exact facility location is established, power digging equipment may be used to complete excavation. Please exercise caution to avoid facility damage.

Trenchless technology (boring, directional drilling)

Always expose facilities to verify their depth and location when using trenchless technology.