How Do I Get a License for a Dig?

Obtaining a license to dig is essential to the safety and security of property and people. In addition, licensing is also important for avoiding fines for unlawful digging. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Excavation and Trenching Standard of 1971 marked the first instance of the federal government setting standards to ensure the safety of workers who are digging. Digging without knowledge of what is under the ground can also result in broken water lines or coming into contact with electrical materials. Whether you are digging for personal or professional reasons, proper licensing is mandatory.

Instructions

- 1
  Call Miss Utility at 1-800-257-7777. Indicate what state you live in. Tell the representative your excavation plans -- the equipment you plan to use, the length of time you plan to dig and the dimensions of the dig. Miss Utility will expedite contact with various utility companies to inform them of your plans to dig.
- 2
  Allow 48 hours for a response from utility companies or for companies to send representatives to consult with you. Allow utility representatives to mark your digging area with flags or tape. Yellow flags, for example, indicate the presence of oil or gas lines while green flags mark the location of sewers or drain lines.
- 3
  Visit or contact your local Department of Public Works (DPW). Present the DPW representative with a current form of personal ID and explain your excavation plans and the equipment you intend to use. Inform the representative of your communication with Miss Utility and utility providers. Follow all instructions for obtaining the necessary permission or license -- right-of-way, public works or septic tank permits, for example -- prior to digging.
- 4
  Contact OSHA with any additional questions or concerns prior to digging. Contact OSHA at: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210 or 1-800-321-6742.

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