Page 79 - BCCGA Best Practices Version 3.0

78 British Columbia Common Ground Alliance
There are several reasons for needing to refresh a locate ticket:
Ÿ Facility markings are only temporary
Ÿ A job may not be completed before the ticket date
Ÿ New facilities may have been installed in the proposed excavation area after
the original notification, and
Ÿ The excavation may cover a large area
In the case of an excavation that covers a large area and will progress from one
area to another over a period of time, the excavation work is to be broken into
segments. The ground disturber, facility owner or operator, and the locator
need to agree on these segments. This practice is to allow for the markings to
coordinate with the actual excavation.
Many facility owners/operators do not perform their own locates. Instead, they
use a contracted facility locator. However, the locator may not be aware of the
work planned in the near future. When the ground disturber refreshes a locate
ticket, it gives the locator the opportunity to identify newly placed facilities.
Refreshing a locate ticket allows facility owners or operators another chance to
identify the location of their facilities. This practice helps them to avoid possible
damage and a disruption of service in case the facility had been marked
incorrectly or missed on a previous locate.
REFERENCES: Existing regulations and practices among ground disturbers,
facility owners and operators, and locators.
4-23 FACILITY DAMAGE NOTIFICATION
PRACTICE STATEMENT: The ground disturber who discovers or causes
damage to an underground facility notifies the facility owner or operator that is
identified on the locate form. The ground disturber reports immediately all
breaks, leaks, nicks, dents, gouges, grooves, or other damages to facility lines,
conduits, coatings, or cathodic protection.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: Damage to a facility dramatically increases the
possibility of facility failure or endangerment to the surrounding population.
Even though the facility may not fail immediately, the ground disturber should
notify the facility owner or operator to allow for the opportunity to inspect the
damage and make the appropriate repairs.