Read before using this tool
You are responsible for your dig. Before any work begins, whoever uses this toolkit must consult, confirm and understand every law, regulation, permit, consent, crossing agreement, locate and facility owner requirement that applies to their site and their work.
This toolkit is general information to help you find those requirements. It is not a locate, not legal advice, not an engineering design and not a substitute for competent supervision. Do not rely on it to decide whether, where, when or how to dig.
Laws change, owners set stricter conditions, and every site is different. Where anything in this toolkit differs from the law, a regulator, a locate sheet or a facility owner's instructions, they govern — not this toolkit.
I understand — it’s my responsibility Part 1 · 174 sections, word for word
The law Every section this toolkit cites, copied from the official consolidations on 2026-09-25 (B.C. current to Sept 15–22, 2026; federal to Sept 3, 2026; Alberta as consolidated at the King’s Printer). Search for a word (“spoil”, “hand expose”, “30 m”) or browse by statute. Not official versions — always check the source.
These materials contain information that has been derived from information originally made available by the Province of British Columbia at: http://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca and this information is being used in accordance with the King's Printer Licence – British Columbia available at: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/standards/Licence.html. They have not, however, been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of, the Province of British Columbia and THESE MATERIALS ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL VERSION.
Alberta legislation © Alberta King's Printer (OHS Code 2021, OHS Act 2020, Pipeline Rules 2023, Pipeline Act and Historical Resources Act 2000), reproduced from the consolidations at kings-printer.alberta.ca. Not the official version.
Federal law reproduced from the Justice Laws Website (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca), current to September 3, 2026. This is not an official version.
174 sections
B.C. B.C. Occupational Health and Safety RegulationB.C. OHSR s. 1.1 Definitions (excerpt: "practicable", "qualified", "supervisor") + B.C. OHSR s. 4.18 Notification of utility service providers + B.C. OHSR s. 19.1 Definitions + B.C. OHSR s. 19.24 Informing workers about high voltage electrical equipment and conductors + B.C. OHSR s. 19.24.1 Minimum approach distance when working close to exposed electrical equipment and conductors + B.C. OHSR s. 19.24.2 Minimum clearance distance when passing under exposed electrical equipment and conductors + B.C. OHSR s. 19.25 Assurance in writing + B.C. OHSR s. 19.26 Assurance not practicable + B.C. OHSR s. 19.27 Specially trained + B.C. OHSR s. 19.28 Emergency work + B.C. OHSR s. 19.29 Authorization by owner + B.C. OHSR s. 20.1 Definitions + B.C. OHSR s. 20.2 Notice of project + B.C. OHSR s. 20.3 Coordination of multiple employer workplaces + B.C. OHSR s. 20.14.1 Fills + B.C. OHSR s. 20.14.2 Stockpiles + B.C. OHSR s. 20.14.3 Unstable face of a stockpile + B.C. OHSR s. 20.78 Work standards + B.C. OHSR s. 20.79 Underground utility services + B.C. OHSR s. 20.80 Removing nearby hazards + B.C. OHSR s. 20.81 Sloping and shoring requirements + B.C. OHSR s. 20.82 Timber shoring and grades + B.C. OHSR s. 20.83 Safe shoring procedures + B.C. OHSR s. 20.84 Repealed + B.C. OHSR s. 20.85 Trench support structures + B.C. OHSR s. 20.86 Spoil piles + B.C. OHSR s. 20.87 Entry and exit + B.C. OHSR s. 20.88 Guarding + B.C. OHSR s. 20.89 Excavation crossings + B.C. OHSR s. 20.90 Excavated materials + B.C. OHSR s. 20.91 Use of skips or buckets + B.C. OHSR s. 20.92 Scaling and trimming + B.C. OHSR s. 20.93 Height limitations + B.C. OHSR s. 20.94 Positioning equipment + B.C. OHSR s. 20.95 Water accumulation + B.C. OHSR s. 20.1A Qualified contractor + B.C. OHSR s. Table 20-1 and Figures 20-1 to 20-3 Table 20-1 (Trench support structures) and Figures 20-1, 20-2, 20-3 + B.C. B.C. Workers Compensation ActB.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 13 Definitions in relation to OHS provisions + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 21 General duties of employers + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 22 General duties of workers + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 23 General duties of supervisors + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 24 Coordination at multiple-employer workplaces + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 68 Immediate notice of certain accidents + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 69 Incidents that must be investigated + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 70 Investigation process + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 71 Preliminary investigation, report and follow-up action + B.C. Workers Compensation Act s. 72 Full investigation, report and follow-up action + B.C. B.C. Energy Resource Activities ActB.C. Energy Resource Activities Act s. 1 Definitions + B.C. Energy Resource Activities Act s. 62 Contraventions + B.C. Energy Resource Activities Act s. 63 Administrative penalties + B.C. Energy Resource Activities Act s. 76 Pipeline crossings + B.C. Energy Resource Activities Act s. 86 Offences + B.C. B.C. Pipeline Crossings RegulationB.C. Pipeline Crossings Reg. s. 1 Definitions + B.C. Pipeline Crossings Reg. s. 2 Pipeline crossing distances + B.C. Pipeline Crossings Reg. s. 3 Cost allocation for pipeline crossings + B.C. B.C. Pipeline RegulationB.C. Pipeline Reg. s. 1 Definitions + B.C. Pipeline Reg. s. 3 Standards + B.C. Pipeline Reg. s. 6 Pipeline crossings + B.C. Pipeline Reg. s. 7 Integrity management and damage prevention programs + B.C. B.C. Administrative Penalties Regulation (ERAA)B.C. Admin. Penalties Reg. s. 2(5) Energy Resource Activities Act + B.C. B.C. Emergency Management Regulation (ERAA)B.C. Emergency Mgmt Reg. s. 1 Definitions + B.C. Emergency Mgmt Reg. s. 10 Incident classification and management + B.C. Emergency Mgmt Reg. s. 11 During emergencies + B.C. Emergency Mgmt Reg. s. 11.1 Notify regulator after a minor incident + B.C. B.C. Gas Safety RegulationB.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 2 Definitions for this regulation + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 37 Procedures for a gas installation in vicinity of underground structures + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 38 Duties of persons intending to construct near gas installation + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 39 Procedures for excavations + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 40 No probing to locate gas installations + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 41 Requirements for blasting in vicinity of gas installation + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 42 Emergency excavation procedures + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 43 Procedure for backfilling an excavation when gas installation exposed + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 44 Procedure if gas escapes + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 45 Procedure if there is damage to gas installation + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 46 Procedure when gas installation exposed + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 47 Procedure if gas fittings exposed + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 48 Procedures in respect of cathodic protection devices + B.C. Gas Safety Reg. s. 49 Procedure if damage to protective wrapping occurs + B.C. B.C. Heritage Conservation ActB.C. Heritage Conservation Act s. 1 Definitions + B.C. Heritage Conservation Act s. 12.1 Heritage protection + B.C. Heritage Conservation Act s. 16.1 Stop work orders + B.C. Heritage Conservation Act s. 36 Offence and penalty + Alberta Alberta Occupational Health and Safety CodeAlta. OHS Code s. 1 Definitions (selected, relevant to Part 32 and buried facilities) + Alta. OHS Code Schedule 4 Table 1 Safe limit of approach distances from overhead power lines for persons and equipment [See sections 225, 226] + Alta. OHS Code Schedule 9 Shoring Component Dimensions [See subsections 457(1), 457(2)] — Shoring components used in excavations, trenches, tunnels and underground shafts + Alta. OHS Code s. 225 Safe limit of approach distance + Alta. OHS Code s. 226 Transported loads, equipment and buildings + Alta. OHS Code s. 227 Utility worker exemption + Alta. OHS Code s. 441 Disturbing the ground + Alta. OHS Code s. 442 Classification of soil type + Alta. OHS Code s. 443 Soil stabilization + Alta. OHS Code s. 444 Marking an excavation + Alta. OHS Code s. 445 Water hazard + Alta. OHS Code s. 446 Worker access + Alta. OHS Code s. 447 Locating buried or concrete-embedded facilities + Alta. OHS Code s. 448 Exposing buried facilities + Alta. OHS Code s. 449 Exemption + Alta. OHS Code s. 450 Methods of protection + Alta. OHS Code s. 451 Cutting back walls + Alta. OHS Code s. 452 Loose materials + Alta. OHS Code s. 453 Spoil piles + Alta. OHS Code s. 454 Power pole support + Alta. OHS Code s. 455 Safe entry and exit + Alta. OHS Code s. 456 Temporary protective structures + Alta. OHS Code s. 457 Alternatives to temporary protective structures + Alta. OHS Code s. 458 Installation of shoring, stringers or bracing + Alta. OHS Code s. 459 Access for powered mobile equipment + Alta. OHS Code s. 460 Dumping block + Alta. OHS Code s. 461 Underground shafts + Alta. OHS Code s. 462 Drilled or bored underground shaft + Alta. OHS Code s. 463 Prohibition + Alta. OHS Code s. 464 Tunnel + Alberta Alberta Occupational Health and Safety ActAlta. OHS Act s. 1(1)(d) Definition of "competent" + Alta. OHS Act s. 3 (excerpt) Obligations of employers (excerpt: 3(1) lead-in, 3(1)(d), 3(2), 3(3); clauses 3(1)(a)-(c), (e), (f) and 3(4)+ omitted) + Alta. OHS Act s. 33 Serious injuries, illnesses, incidents and worker exposure to radiation + Alberta Alberta Pipeline ActAlta. Pipeline Act s. 1(1)(e) Definition of "controlled area" + Alta. Pipeline Act s. 1(1)(j) Definition of "ground disturbance" + Alta. Pipeline Act s. 32 Ground disturbance + Alta. Pipeline Act s. 35 Leaks and breaks + Alta. Pipeline Act s. 42 Approval to undertake ground disturbance + Alberta Alberta Pipeline Rules (AR 125/2023)Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 1(1) Definitions (selected) + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 1(4) Controlled area + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 5(2) Notification of leak, break or contact damage (by telephone) + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 42 No fees for ground disturbance + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 43 Ground disturbance approval + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 44 Damage prevention service + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 45 Preparing for ground disturbance + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 46 Locating and marking of pipelines + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 47 Supervision of ground disturbance + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 48 Control of access over right of way + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 49 Vehicles crossing pipeline + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 50 Safety of adjacent pipeline + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 51 Exposing pipeline + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 52 Inspection prior to backfilling + Alta. Pipeline Rules s. 67 Report of leak, break or contact damage + Alberta Alberta Historical Resources ActHistorical Resources Act s. 1(e) Definition of "historic resource" + Historical Resources Act s. 31 Notice of discovery of historic resource + Federal Canadian Energy Regulator ActCER Act s. 2 Definitions (selected: company, designated officer, ground disturbance, pipeline, Regulator) + CER Act s. 335 construction or ground disturbance + CER Act s. 336 Protection of mines + CER Act s. 338 Protection of pipeline from mining operations + Federal CER Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations – AuthorizationsCER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 1 Definitions + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 2 Prescribed area + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 3 person + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 4 Duty to inform + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 5 Designation of temporary prohibition area + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 6 Pipeline company + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 7 Authorization – of construction + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 8 existing facilities + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 9 Authorization for construction of overhead line + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 10 Authorization – ground disturbance activity + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 11 activity required for maintenance of facility + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 12 Authorization – operation across pipeline + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 13 agricultural activity + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Authorizations) s. 14 File application with Regulator + Federal CER Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations – Obligations of Pipeline CompaniesCER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 1 Definitions + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 2 Obligation to be a member + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 3 Inform person of decision + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 4 Information – application for authorization + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 5 Comments by pipeline company + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 6 Timeline + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 7 Agricultural activity + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 8 Inspections and field observations + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 9 notify facility owner + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 10 Grounds + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 11 Report to Regulator + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 12 Facilities and ground disturbances + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 13 Duty to make records available + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 14 Lists + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 15 Request for consent + CER Damage Prevention Regs (Pipeline Cos.) s. 16 Minimum content + Federal CER Onshore Pipeline RegulationsCER Onshore Pipeline Regs s. 1 (selected definitions) Definitions (selected: incident, serious injury) + CER Onshore Pipeline Regs s. 47.2 Damage prevention program + CER Onshore Pipeline Regs s. 52 Incident reporting + Part 2
Worth bookmarking The regulators, one-call centres and guides behind this toolkit. These open on the owner’s site — their content, their copyright.
All B.C. Alberta National / federal
One-call BC 1 CallBC 1 Call — make a locate request ↗ Online tickets 24/7, or 1-800-474-6886 (Mon–Fri 7–5, emergencies any time). One-call Utility Safety PartnersUtility Safety Partners — Click Before You Dig ↗ Alberta's locate request service, 24/7 online or 1-800-242-3447. One-call Canadian Common Ground AllianceClickBeforeYouDig.com ↗ National portal that routes you to the right provincial one-call centre. (811 is not the dig line in Canada.) Regulator WSBCExcavations — hazards and resources ↗ WSBC's excavation hub: incident summaries, toolbox guides and videos. Regulator WSBCOHS Guidelines, Part 20 ↗ How WSBC interprets the excavation sections (G20.78, G20.79, G20.81, G20.85). Guide WSBCPrevention of Damage to Buried Facilities in B.C. ↗ Hand expose zone, locate validity, contact response for gas, power and telecom, planning checklist. Guide WSBCSloping and Timber Shoring ↗ Pre-excavation requirements, inspections, and sloping and shoring methods. Form WSBCSubmit a Notice of Project ↗ Online NOP — needed 24 h ahead for trenches over 30 m long a worker enters, and other triggers. Guide WSBCWorking Safely Around Electricity ↗ Overhead and buried power line contact: what the operator and crew do. Regulator B.C. Energy RegulatorPrevent Pipeline Damage in B.C. ↗ The 30 m / 10 m pipeline rules on one page, and the incident line. Regulator B.C. Energy RegulatorOperations Manual, Ch. 11 — Pipeline activity ↗ Pipeline crossing distances and permissions (s. 11.2.1). Guide FortisBCSafe digging around gas lines ↗ No-mechanized-dig zone, permits within 10 m / 30 m of high-pressure lines, emergency numbers. Guide BC HydroDigging near power poles ↗ The protected zone around a pole and when it must be supported. Regulator Province of B.C.Report an archaeological find ↗ What to do if you uncover artifacts or remains; Archaeology Branch contacts. Form Province of B.C.Archaeology Information Request ↗ Check for recorded archaeological sites before you dig. Standard BC Common Ground AllianceGround Disturbance 201 Standard (B.C.) ↗ The industry training standard for GD supervisors in B.C. Law Government of AlbertaOHS Code Part 32 — searchable ↗ The official search tool for Alberta's excavating and tunnelling rules. Guide Alberta OHSExcavations: Locating buried facilities (EXCV003) ↗ Alberta OHS bulletin on the locate, hand-expose and marking rules. Regulator Alberta Energy RegulatorWorking around oil and gas pipelines ↗ The AER's plain-language guide to ground disturbance near pipelines. Regulator Alberta Energy RegulatorGround disturbance — Pipeline Rules overview ↗ Slides on the 2023 Pipeline Rules: 30 m search, 5 m hand-expose, 0.6 m supervision, trenchless. Guide Utility Safety PartnersDamage Prevention Process in Alberta (v7.0) ↗ How locates, marking, validity and hand exposure work in Alberta. Standard Utility Safety PartnersEndorsed GD training providers ↗ Who is endorsed to teach the GD 101 / 201 standards. Guide ATCOWorking around natural gas pipelines ↗ Hand-expose zone, hydrovac limits and leak response for ATCO gas lines. Regulator Canada Energy RegulatorDamage prevention — contractors ↗ What contractors must do near federal pipelines. Regulator Canada Energy RegulatorGuidance notes: Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations ↗ Consent, locates, the 3 m rule, and an Appendix 1 checklist. Guide EnbridgeCrossing and Encroachment Guide (Canada) ↗ Enbridge's rules for work near its lines, including hydrovac limits. Standard Canadian Common Ground AllianceDamage Prevention Best Practices v5.0 ↗ The national best-practice manual: white-lining, tolerance zone, hydrovac, backfill. Guide Energy Safety CanadaGround Disturbance and Damage Prevention guideline ↗ Program-writing guideline for oil and gas: roles, probing, exposure, spotters. Data Canadian Common Ground AllianceDIRT Report 2024 ↗ National damage statistics by province, cause and facility type. These materials contain information that has been derived from information originally made available by the Province of British Columbia at: http://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca and this information is being used in accordance with the King's Printer Licence – British Columbia available at: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/standards/Licence.html. They have not, however, been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of, the Province of British Columbia and THESE MATERIALS ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL VERSION.