MISS DIG 811 and Hydro Excavation

The law

Michigan's MISS DIG Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act (2013 PA 174, MCL 460.721–460.733) took effect April 1, 2014. The Michigan Public Service Commission oversees it. MISS DIG 811 is the notification system that passes your dig notice to member facility owners.

Key requirements

1. Give notice before you dig

Excavators must give a dig notice at least 72 hours before excavation, not counting nonbusiness days (the MPSC describes it as three business days), and no more than 14 calendar days before. If several excavators work on the same site, each one files its own notice. The Act has separate provisions for emergencies, which it defines.

2. Ticket life

A dig notice is generally valid for 21 days from the start date, or up to 180 days if the notice states the work won't be finished within 21 days. If a ticket expires, a new notice is needed.

3. The caution zone

The caution zone is 48 inches on either side of the facility marks.

4. Soft excavation is where hydrovac comes in

The Act defines soft excavation as including "hand-digging, cautious digging with nonmechanical tools, vacuum excavation methods, or use of pneumatic hand tools" (MCL 460.723 (definitions)). Within the caution zone, an excavator must expose marked facilities by soft excavation before using power equipment there. Facilities running parallel to the excavation must be exposed at intervals as necessary (MCL 460.725).

5. Lost or destroyed marks

If marks are destroyed or covered, notify MISS DIG to request a remark. Facility owners have 24 hours, excluding nonbusiness days, to remark.

Marking colors (APWA uniform color code)

What MISS DIG doesn't cover

MISS DIG notifies its member facility owners, who mark the facilities they own. Privately owned lines are generally not marked by the utilities, such as a feed from a house to a detached garage, private water or sewer laterals, site lighting, or irrigation. Property owners often hire a private locator for these. Potholing is a common way to verify both.

White-lining with hydrovac

Pre-marking your planned dig area in white helps facility owners mark the right place. For hydrovac potholing, mark each hole location or the bore path so locators know exactly where you'll be working.

Sources: MISS DIG Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act, 2013 PA 174 (MCL 460.721–460.733); MCL 460.723 (definitions); MCL 460.725; Michigan Public Service Commission: Safe Digging; MISS DIG 811.