Wednesday, September 5, 2012

CAUTION: Before you do ANY DIGGING ANYWHERE on your property

Friends,

From time to time, there have been horror stories in the media, concerning home-owners and contractors digging before they take the following sensible precautions.  

Deaths and serious injuries have been noted.  
BUT ALSO, "innocent" little digs (e.g. irrigation systems, landscaping, fencing, 
etc.) have set up homeowners for surprisingly expensive liabilities.

I am sure I have heard of people doing major damage by digging as few as 2 or 3 inches into their grounds.  (I am trying to re-confirm this, but meanwhile, it can't hurt to call -- and it can help, a great deal) --
You need to allow 2 days, so plan ahead.


Editor


1. --------
     Call Before You Dig
                                                                                        
USA North (Underground Service Alert) is a free notification service for homeowners and contractors who are going to perform any kind of excavation. By calling USA North (dial 811) you can find out if there are underground utilities at your site before you dig. Legislation in California makes it mandatory to call at least two days before digging.



2.  PG&E Information (from PG&E's "Before you dig" page)
NOTE: The information, below, is a "screen grab" of SELECTED PORTIONS OF THE PAGE, frozen in time.  Be sure to click this link to get the full story, before you dig.

When you contact USA, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and other utilities are notified so they can identify whether they have underground facilities at the excavation site.

  • PG&E will either mark the area or notify you that the area is clear.
  • Remember—we only mark PG&E owned gas, electric lines and communication lines. Other utility companies will locate and mark their own telephone, communications, water or other underground lines.
  • Calling before you dig can not only save you money from a damage claim, it can also save your life. For more information on Underground Service Alert, visit the following Web sites:
  • USA North - Serving Central/Northern California and Nevada.
  • USA South - Serving Santa Barbara, Ventura, Inyo, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and Imperial counties.
  • 811 - Learn all about 811 and safe digging.

3.  City of Pittsburg rules (from City's main website) -- 
NOTE: The information, below, is a "screen grab," frozen in time.  Be sure to click this link just in case there has been a change since this article was posted.

Engineering Construction Permit Information
According to City of Pittsburg Municipal Code 15.88.030 an Engineering Construction Permit is required for the following activities:
Note:

As per City of Pittsburg Municipal Code 5.04.050 any contractor who intends to perform services associated with Engineering or Encroachment Permit must have a City of Pittsburg Business License. 

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