Rule 515-9-5-.01 - Emergency ProceduresEach and every entity under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall establish procedures that its employees and agents shall follow in the event that a utility facility is damaged when blasting or excavating activities are performed. At a minimum, these procedures shall prescribe the following:
(a) At least one person in authority present at an excavation or blasting site shall have a basic familiarity with Department of Transporation regulations, local municipal and state ordinances and Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act laws and rules as they pertain to excavating and blasting as a measure to avoid striking or otherwise damaging utility facilities.(b) At least one person present at an excavation or blasting site shall be adequately proficient in speaking the English language in order to effectively communicate to emergency personnel information pertaining to an unexpected impact with a utility facility, to notify the Utilities Protection Center and to instruct workers and members of the general public in surrounding areas to keep away from any potential ignition source or electrocution hazard.(c) At least one person present at an excavation or blasting site shall be knowledgeable of safety measures that must be taken to protect individuals in the vicinity where a utility facility has been struck or damaged, including, but not limited to, restricting the access of persons and property to or around the area in which an impact with a utility facility has occurred and alerting parties in adjacent areas of the need to evacuate public and/or private properties because of existence of a potential ignition source or electrocution hazard.(d) The need for safety equipment to effect the purposes of this rule that must be present at every excavation or blasting site, which equipment, at a minimum, shall include, reflective vests and hard hats to be worn by persons working in the excavation or blasting site; at least one working portable communication device, such as cellular telephone or a two-way radio, which may be utilized to contact emergency services on 911, the Utilities Protection Center and affected utility(ies); fluorescent cones for blocking off pedestrian and vehicle traffic; and flags, signs or other devices to notify the general public to avoid the area in which excavation or blasting activities are taking place.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 515-9-5-.01
O.C.G.A. Secs. 25-9-13, 46-2-20, 46-2-21, 50-13-4.
Original Rule entitled "Emergency Procedures" adopted as ER. 515-9-5-0.12-.01. F. July 26, 2001; eff. July 23, 2001, the date of adoption.Amended: Permanent Rule of same title adopted. F. Nov. 30, 2001; eff. Dec. 20, 2001.