Chapter 5
5.10 Locate Verification
Practice Statement:
Prior to excavation, excavators verify that they are at the correct location, verify locate markings and, to the best of their ability, check for unmarked facilities.
Practice Description:
Upon arrival at the excavation site and prior to beginning the excavation, an excavator does the following:
- Verifies that the dig site matches the one call request and is timely
- Verifies that all facilities have been marked and reviews color codes if in doubt
- Verifies all service feeds from buildings and homes
- Checks for any visible signs of underground facilities, such as pedestals, risers, meters, and new trench lines
- Checks for any facilities that are not members of the 811 center and contact someone to get them located.
Use of a pre-excavation checklist is recommended by insurers and practiced by responsible excavating contractors.
Reference:
- Existing practice by excavators, including Pauley Construction and W.F. Wilson & Sons, Inc.