(A) Excavations in the streets and alleys for sewer purposes shall be made in a manner as to impede travel as little as possible, and the City Manager may determine and limit the time the excavation may remain open and when unnecessarily delayed, the City Manager may direct the number of workers be increased to hasten the work to an extent as the City Manager may deem necessary. Warning lights shall be maintained upon all unfinished work at night, from dark to sunrise, and sufficient barricades shall be in place at all times until the work is completed. The refilling of trenches shall be well and thoroughly done in uniform layers of not exceeding six inches per lift and mechanically packed or tamped to a compaction of 95% as directed by the Sewer Inspector, or other agents of the city entrusted with the supervision of the work, so as to replace all excavation materials and leave the surface in as good of condition as found before the commencement of the work.
(B) Excavation and backfill must comply with local requirements and specific requirements of the state. Special attention is directed to Title 29 Labor, Part 1518, Safety and Health Regulations for Constructions, and detailed requirements of Subpart P, Excavations, Trenching and Shoring.
(C) Excavate for appurtenant structures to provide at least 12 inches (minimum) clear distance between outer surface and embankment and in full observation of safety rules. Trenches shall be excavated only to a width sufficient to provide a free working space on each side of the pipe at the bottom for backfilling and compacting around the pipe. Widths shall comply with state requirements for trenching, provide adequate working space and pipe clearances for proper pipe installation, jointing, and embedment. Cutting trench banks on slopes to reduce earth load to prevent sliding and caving will be permitted only in areas where the increased trench width will not interfere with surface features, encroach on right-of-way limits, or require additional removal and replacements. Slopes shall not extend lower than one foot above the top of the pipe.
(D) Trenches greater than five feet in depth shall be properly braced and shored, and the party excavating shall be liable for all damages arising by reason of any neglect in this respect.
(E) Trenches shall be sheeted, shored and braced as necessary to comply with all applicable laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations. Compliance with this requirement shall rest solely with the contractor. The sheeting, shoring and bracing shall not be removed until backfilling has progressed to a stage that no damage to utilities or structures will result from its removal.
(F) Brace trenches running near walls or columns to prevent any settlement or other disturbance of walls or columns. Make trench excavation that runs parallel to footing bottom with maximum slope of one to one.
(G) The contractor shall contain his or her work to public street and highway rights-of-way and easements or shall be liable to damage claims for any damages resulting from his or her operation.
(Prior Code, § 3-204) (Ord. 2002-2627, passed 8-5-2002)
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 16-681
Similar state law provisions, see Neb. RS 16-232