Chapter 5
5.1 811 Facility Locate Request

Practice Statement:
The excavator requests the location of underground facilities at each site by notifying the facility owner/operator through the 811 center. Unless otherwise specified in state/provincial law, the excavator calls the 811 center at least two working days and no more than ten working days prior to beginning excavation.
Practice Description:
Currently 50 states and 5 Canadian provinces have one call legislation and/or established 811 centers recognizing that excavation performed without prior notification poses a risk to public safety, excavators, and the environment, and can disrupt vital services provided by facility operators. Increased participation in this one call system provides for improved communication between excavators and facility operators necessary to reduce damage.
Reference:
- Existing state laws, including Ohio and West Virginia