Page 72 - BCCGA Best Practices Version 3.0

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CURRENT PRACTICE: There are two separate deficiencies in this practice.
First, not all utilities have become members of the one-call centre. Second, at
the moment, not all locates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all
utilities.
4-9 POSITIVE RESPONSE
PRACTICE STATEMENT: The ground disturber receives at least a written
notification from the underground facility owner or operator in response to a
locate request.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: A positive response is the action a facility owner or
operator takes after receiving a notification of intent to excavate by a ground
disturber. The facility owner or operator is required to take one of two actions.
The first is to mark the underground facilities at the worksite identified on the
locate sheet provided to the ground disturber by using flags, markings, or other
acceptable methods. The other action is to notify the ground disturber verbally
and in writing that the situation is “all clear.” The positive response should be
given within three business days of the locate request or by a date that the
locator and ground disturber can agree upon.
A conflict exists if there are underground facilities near the proposed excavation
or demolition work. It is until the one-call centre, facility owner, or facility
operator determines that a conflict does not exist that the ground disturber is
to receive a written notification the area is “all clear.”
At times, the ground disturber may have received an “all clear” response, but
has knowledge that an underground facility does in fact exist in the proposed
excavation or demolition area. In this case, the ground disturber notifies the
one-call centre and the facility owner or operator of this fact. The priority
would be for the one-call centre and the facility owner or operator to make
sure these facilities are marked before the excavation or demolition work
begins.
An important note, the ground disturber should maintain written records of all
locates requested and received.
CAUTION: In BC, not all facility owners are members of BC One Call and not all
facility owners provide locates. It is important to check with both BC One Call
and the non-member facility owners to determine their procedures and
requirements.
Best Practices Version 3.0