St. Paul, MN — Legislation not too long ago signed into law by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) updates excavation safety statutes with utility worker safety in thoughts.
Part of the Transportation Policy Omnibus Bill (H.F. 3436) signed on May 15, the laws impacts Chapter 216D of state excavation safety statutes.
Starting Aug. 1, the usual 48-hour window that utility operators need to find underground traces after a request will start at 12:01 a.m. the day after a request is made. The window nonetheless will exclude weekends and holidays.
As another, an excavator and utility operator might agree on a mutually acceptable interval for locates to be accomplished and work to start on a jobsite, which should be documented with Minnesota’s Gopher State One Call system.
State law requires white markings be made for all excavations. Starting Aug. 1 and earlier than Jan. 1, 2026, markings should be bodily made onsite, however will also be supplemented with an equal digital marking description.
After Jan. 1, 2026, an excavator can present digital markings as a substitute for bodily ones – if the digital markings present the identical degree of knowledge.
Beginning Aug. 1, the state will permit black markings for use throughout wintery circumstances.
“At its core, this legislation is about safety,” Laura Ziegler, director of freeway/heavy and authorities affairs for Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, stated in an announcement.
She added that the modifications are lengthy overdue. “State statute in 2024 is based on outdated technology and processes for marking and mapping underground infrastructure. There haven’t been significant updates in almost 40 years. This often leaves contractors and project owners in the dark.”
