Date Reviewed: February 21, 2023
A ground disturbance is considered to be any work, operation, or activity that results in a disturbance of the earth or that result in a reduction of the initial installation cover over a buried facility. The term ground disturbance has been adopted by industry to replace excavation since there are many activities other than excavation that disturb the ground.
Only competent employees who have received Global Ground Disturbance training will perform ground disturbance procedures. This work practice will be reviewed yearly or if a ground disturbance occurs.
The following are the minimum accepted practices to be used when performing any ground disturbance:
•A safe work permit must be provided by the contracting oilfield company as ground disturbance is considered "Hot Work".
•A pre-job safety meeting must be held with all involved employees prior to any work starting.
•All line locates must be completed by calling Sask 1stCall at 1-866-828-4888.
•Line sweeps must be done by a 3rd party locating firm.
•Once lines are located and marked, notification and approval for ground disturbance must be received from the buried facility owner.
•All ground disturbance within 600 millimeters of an existing pipeline, cable or conduit, must be exposed by hand digging. Once the pipeline, cable or conduit, is exposed it must be supported to prevent any damage during back-filling.
•If a pipeline, cable or conduit, is damaged during ground disturbance, the facility owners must be notified immediately, and any steps to protect the health and safety of all workers must be taken. The facility emergency procedures as identified in the pre-job safety meeting must be followed.
•Prior to back-filling, the facility owner must be notified so they can perform an inspection if they desire to do so.
Limits of proposed excavation* |
White |
Temporary survey markings |
Pink |
Electrical power lines, cables, conduits, and ducts or lighting wires and cables |
Red |
Gas, oil, petroleum, steam, or gaseous material |
Yellow |
Telephone, communications, cable TV, alarm or signal lines, wires, cable conduits or ducts |
Orange |
Water lines or pipes |
Blue |
Sanitary sewer, storm sewer, culvert or drain lines |
Green |
Irrigation, reclaimed water, slurry lines or pipes |
Purple |
*The person proposing the ground disturbance is encouraged to mark the limits of job sites with white flags. Stakes or paint may be used to provide the locators and project personnel with an accurate understanding of the proposed construction area. In winter conditions, black may be used rather than white.
