Page 60 - BCCGA Best Practices Version 3.0

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additional facilities to form a "buffer zone" around the Located Area. In all
cases, the locator must clearly understand the scope and type of work to be
performed prior to establishing the Located Area. Markings and sketched
facilities do not extend beyond the Located Area either on the locate sheet or in
the field.
3-14 ALTERNATE LOCATE AGREEMENTS
PRACTICE STATEMENT: Alternate Locate Agreements (ALAs), also referred to
as variance agreements or permits, may be used providing the facility owner
and ground disturber agree on the terms and conditions.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: An Alternate Locate Agreement (ALA) is a
contractual agreement between a facility owner and a ground disturber that
allows the ground disturber to proceed with excavation work without receiving
a traditional field locate. The facility owner determines the terms and
conditions of the ALA, including the depth, location, method of excavation,
and/or type of excavation. The intent of an ALA is to ensure underground
facilities are protected from damage by limiting the scope of work to the point
that a field locate is not required. It also reduces the demand on existing locate
providers and eliminates wait times and administration costs for the ground
disturber.
The details of an ALA must be stated in writing and available on the project for
review upon request. Such an agreement must also be communicated in writing
to the Joint Health and Safety Committee, or health and safety representative
on the project where applicable.
The ground disturber has the following responsibilities that the ALA would
entail:
Ÿ Ensure all facility owners fulfill their locate requests and mark their services
Ÿ Ensure an ALA, where applicable and implemented, will not impede any safe
operations regarding the utilities not covered by that ALA, and
Ÿ Maintain that the health and safety of the workers as well as public safety
are safeguarded at all times
The ground disturber has a duty to ensure the excavation work is carried out in
the following manner:
Best Practices Version 3.0