Chapter 8: Quarry and Pit Safety
Anchor: #ROAMAKDTSection 1: Overview
The Texas Aggregate Quarry and Pit Safety Act was passed in 1991. The purpose of the legislation was to protect the public good by requiring safety devices for certain pits and quarries and regulate public access. The Act assigned enforcement responsibility to the Railroad Commission of Texas, but in 2003, responsibility was transferred to the Department. The primary duty of inspecting pits and issuing safety certificates assigned to the Maintenance Division.
Anchor: #LNBOFXCKTexas Law and Code
The Quarry and Pit Safety Act is codified in the Natural Resource Code, Chapter 133, Quarry Safety. The Quarry and Pit Safety rules are in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 43, Part 1, Chapter 21, Subchapter M.
Anchor: #HKNBRHHHSafety Certificate Required
A safety certificate is required when a pit is five feet or deeper and is located within 200 feet of a public road.
Anchor: #TEVOBESRDistrict Requirements
When traveling highways, county roads or city streets, in the course of normal duties, district personnel should inform the Maintenance Division of any of the following conditions:
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- New pits or quarries within 200 feet of a public road. Anchor: #WTMMXCES
- Locations of any new pit or quarry that the district or contractors are excavating for material for department use. Anchor: #OCEUTORI
- Pits or quarries that are less than 50 feet to the property line of the nearest property not owned or leased by the operator.
Further Information
Further information on the Aggregate Quarry and Pit Safety Program, including contact numbers and forms, can be found on the TxDOT website.