Underground Damage Prevention

PSC Protection of Underground Facilities

The Public Service Commission is responsible for enforcing regulations for the protection of underground facilities known as Part 753 or Code Rule 53 and more commonly referred to as 811, Call Before You Dig, or UDig NY.

New York State has two One Call Notification Centers covering the state. Excavators are to provide notice of intent to excavate by contacting the appropriate One Call Notification Center:


Protection of Underground Facilities Law Amendments

Amendments to the General Business Law Article 36 require certain excavators to be trained. This amendment went into affect on May 4, 2019. View Case 18-M-0777 for a Commission Order issued on May 1, 2019, plus workshops on the subject.

The law authorizes both One Call Notification Centers to be providers of training and education program. Excavator training is available online from UDig NY's Certified Excavator Program (information below) or from New York 811 Excavation Training & Education Program.


Certified Excavator Program

UDig NY offers an Excavator Certification Program to all excavators in NYS. Excavators who have completed the Program have demonstrated a fundamental understanding of the best practices that should be used for safe digging in accordance with the Common Ground Alliance Best Practices and Title 16 of New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Part 753 – Protection of Underground Facilities.

Find out if your contractor is a certified excavator on UDig NY's Training Verification page.


Enforcement

Requests for Enforcement may be made to [email protected]. Please provide as much detail as possible concerning possible violation. Be sure to include:

  • Date and location of possible violation
  • Detailed nature of the possible violation (including 16 NYCRR Cite if known)
  • Company Name and Address responsible for the possible violation
  • One Call ticket number, if applicable
  • Underground Facility(ies) damaged or placed at risk due a possible violation
  • Any evidence available to support the possible violation
  • A telephone number as means of contact for additional information.

 

Additional Information

- See below for a copy of the Part 753 pamphlet.

- Commission Part 753 Enforcement Proceedings

- Commission’s Order Clarifying One-Call System Notice Requirements in Case 05-M-0848

- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration PHMSA's evaluation of New York State's Damage Prevention Program

- See below for the past three years of Department of Public Service Annual One-Call Notification System Reports.