Page 57 - BCCGA Best Practices Version 3.0

56 British Columbia Common Ground Alliance
Ÿ Sources of energy (overhead and other), and
Ÿ Environmental factors
3-9 LOCATE QUALITY
PRACTICE STATEMENT: Complete a visual inspection during the locating
process
.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: During the locating process, a visual inspection
should be completed to include the following actions:
Ÿ Check all facilities within a facility owner/ operator service area (this is to
evaluate the scope of the locate request)
Ÿ Identify access points such as dips, enclosures, manholes, meters, poles,
risers, valves and pedestals
Ÿ Identify potential hazards, and
Ÿ Assure that plant facilities shown on available records match those
of the site.
The main reason for a visual inspection is to determine if there are facilities in
place that are not on record. It is important to complete visual inspections in
areas of new construction, where the records may not indicate the presence of
a facility. As well, the time it takes to record a facility placed in the field may
vary by facility owner/operator and location. Evidence of a facility that is not on
record includes, but is not limited to, dips, enclosures, manholes, meters, poles,
risers, valves, and pedestals (including new cables found within the pedestals).
3-10 LOCATE STATUS
PRACTICE STATEMENT: Positive response is provided to facility locate
requests.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: All facility locate requests result in a positive
response from the facility owner/operator to the ground disturber. A positive
response will include documentation and/or markings left on a job site, a
callback, a fax, an email, or an automated response. This positive response
allows the ground disturber to know whether all facility owners/operators have
marked the requested area prior to the beginning of the excavation.