Excavation and trenching - New Mexico

New Mexico operates an OSHA-approved State Plan covering most private sector workers and all state and local government workers. The New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OSHB) is a part of the New Mexico Environment Department.

New Mexico's OSHB has adopted all federal OSHA standards, incorporated by reference, which relate to state and local government and private sector employer operations. Therefore, the state and federal standards are identical.

Excavation is a regulated activity in New Mexico. The Public Regulation Commission, Pipeline Safety Bureau (PSB) has statutory authority to administer New Mexico’s Excavation Law, including the assessment of fines for violations.

State pipeline safety regulations

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has promulgated regulations governing pipeline excavation safety and damage prevention. These rules apply to all one-call notification systems, excavators, and owners and operators of pipelines and other underground facilities in New Mexico with the exemption of those preempted by federal law.

The purpose of these rules is to implement Chapter 62, Article 14 of New Mexico statutes by providing procedures for preventing damage to underground utilities and for dealing with damage when it occurs during excavation activities. These rules are found in the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) at 18.60.5. through 18.60.5.22.