Mississippi Excavation and Grading

Key Concepts

Mississippi 811 One-Call Notification (Miss. Code Title 77, Chapter 13)

• One Call Center: All excavators must notify Mississippi 811 (dial 811) before any excavation begins
• Advance Notice: Notify at least 2 full business days before excavating, but not more than 10 business days in advance
• Ticket Validity: A locate request ticket is valid for 10 business days from the start date on the ticket (not from when you called)
• Business days exclude weekends and legal public holidays

Key Definitions (Miss. Code § 77-13-3)

Excavator Duties

• Pre-mark the planned excavation area with white paint or stakes before calling 811
• After submitting a ticket, wait for all facilities to be marked (or for operators to confirm no facilities) before digging
• Within the tolerance zone: use hand digging, vacuum excavation, or other non-mechanical means — no power equipment to expose facilities
• Do not excavate until all operators have responded or the 2-business-day notice period has elapsed
• If a line is damaged, immediately notify the operator and 911 if a hazardous condition exists

Operator Responsibilities

• Must mark facilities within 2 full business days of receiving notice (using APWA color codes)
• Must report damages to underground facilities via the PRIS (Pipeline and Related Infrastructure System) reporting process
• If an operator has no facilities in the area, must still notify the excavator (clear response)
• Operators must be members of the Mississippi 811 One Call system

Emergency Excavation Exceptions

Excavating and Grading (50% of Exam)

Key Concepts

Mississippi 811 One-Call Notification

• Call 811 (or 1-800-DIG-TESS) at least 2 full working days before excavation begins — weekends and holidays do not count.
• Notification is required for any excavation, including hand digging, within the state.
• After notification, utilities must mark their lines; the excavator must honor the marks and use hand digging within 18–24 inches of marked utilities.
• The one-call requirement protects the contractor from liability only if proper notification was given and marks were respected.

Excavation Classifications (MS Spec Division 200)

• Unclassified Excavation: All excavation regardless of material type — paid at a single unit price. Most common in Mississippi DOT contracts.
• Rock Excavation: Material requiring blasting or special equipment; must be defined in contract documents.
• Muck Excavation: Saturated, unstable material (peat, swamp material) removed and replaced or wasted.
• Borrow Excavation: Material taken from approved off-site or designated borrow pits to supplement embankment construction.
• Excess/Surplus Excavation: Cut material exceeding embankment needs; must be disposed of properly per Subsection 104.05.

Clearing and Grubbing (Section 201)

• Includes removal of surface objects, trees, stumps, roots, and underground obstructions within ROW and easement limits.
• Undisturbed stumps: Cut no more than 6 inches above ground line; may remain in place if at least 3 feet below subgrade or embankment slope (Engineer must authorize).
• Random clearing zones (safety/clear zones): Stumps cut flush — no more than 2 inches above ground line; grubbing is NOT permitted in these areas.
• Branches over the roadway must provide minimum 20-foot vertical clearance.
• Tree surgery paint/sealer must be applied to all cut or scarred surfaces.
• If no clearing and grubbing bid item exists, the work is a subsidiary obligation of the contractor.
• Measured either lump sum (entire ROW area) or by the acre (areas actually cleared).

Embankment Construction and Compaction (Section 203)

• Material placed in uniform horizontal layers, generally not exceeding 8 inches loose thickness before compaction.
• Compaction must achieve 95% of maximum dry density per Proctor test (Standard or Modified, as specified).
• Moisture content must be within ±2% of optimum during compaction.
• Subgrade top 12 inches typically requires 98% compaction.

Mississippi Excavation and Grading Exam | 12% of Exam (~5 Questions)

Key Concepts

Cave-In Protection Methods (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P)

• Required when: excavations 5 feet or deeper (or shallower if a competent person determines hazard exists)
• Sloping: Cut back trench walls at a safe angle based on soil type (Type A = 3/4:1, Type B = 1:1, Type C = 1½:1 — horizontal to vertical)
• Benching: Step-cut walls; only allowed in Type A and B soils — never in Type C
• Shoring: Timber or hydraulic systems installed against trench walls to prevent collapse
• Shield systems (trench boxes): Protective structures workers work inside; they do not prevent cave-in but protect workers within

Competent Person Duties (29 CFR 1926.651 & 1926.652)

• Must classify soil, select protective systems, and perform daily inspections
• Inspections required: before each shift, after rainstorms, after any event that could increase hazard
• Has authority to remove workers immediately if hazardous conditions are identified
• Cannot delegate final soil classification or inspection authority to a non-competent person

Soil Classification (29 CFR 1926 Appendix A to Subpart P)

• Type A: Most stable (clay, hardpan); no fissuring, no water seepage
• Type B: Intermediate (silt, sandy loam, previously disturbed soil)
• Type C: Least stable (gravel, sand, submerged soil, soil with heavy water seepage) — most restrictive slope requirements
• Soil can be downgraded but never upgraded during a project without re-evaluation

Mississippi 811 One-Call / Underground Utilities (29 CFR 1926.651(b))

• Contact Mississippi 811 (dial 811) before any excavation — required by Mississippi law
• Notify at least 2 working days before digging (Mississippi standard)
• Utilities must be located, marked, and protected before excavation begins
• If exact location is uncertain, use hand digging or soft-dig methods near marked utilities
• Utility owners must be notified; their marks are advisory — the excavator bears responsibility for verification

Hazardous Atmospheres & Emergency Rescue (29 CFR 1926.651(g))

• Test excavations greater than 4 feet deep for: oxygen deficiency/enrichment, combustible gases, toxic gases
• Acceptable oxygen range: 19.5% – 23.5%
• Combustible gas limit: <10% of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
• Confined-space rescue equipment (harness, lifeline) must be immediately available if atmospheric hazards exist
• Engulfment/entrapment rescue: rescue equipment must be on-site before workers enter