Requirements and Practices of Underground Construction Activities: Review of Recently Updated Act

Abstract

The Underground Utility Safety and Damage Prevention Act, hereinafter referred to as the Act, was created in the state of North Carolina to protect citizens, workers, and underground utilities from the inherent dangers that can occur during an excavation. In 2013, stakeholders introduced several changes to the Act to improve its overall performance. One of the most critical changes was the creation of the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board (UDPRB). The primary function of the UDPRB is to review complaints against parties violating the Act and to provide recommendations that are enforced by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Active enforcement is a crucial component of any effective prevention program. Therefore, this paper explores the Act’s requirements that relate to construction firms, as well as the scope and process of the UDPRB. Additionally, this paper addresses the influence of the creation and implementation of the UDPRB on relationships between various stakeholder groups, including construction firms. Finally, the paper also highlights the differences in underground utilities prevention acts and their impact on construction firms. Accordingly, this paper provides significant information to construction practitioners as well as legislators.