CCGA Best Practices - Volume 2.0 PDF

2014 Board of Directors
Chair
Baspaly, David British Columbia Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA)
CCGA Executive Committee
Moreau, Nathalie Info-Excavation L’Alliance pour la protection des Vice-Chair
infrastructures souterraines du Québec (APISQ) CCGA Executive Committee
Public Works Department - City of Winnipeg & Treasurer
Saedal, Derrick
Manitoba Common Ground Alliance (MCGA) CCGA Executive Committee
Alberta One Call (AOC) &
Sullivan, Michael President
Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA)
Secretary
Douglas, Jim Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA)
Past Chair
Tweedie, James Canadian Gas Association
Bellissimo, Vince Canadian Construction Association Director
Bradley, Francis Canadian Electricity Association Director
Doyle, Mike Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors Director
Durnie, Darwin Canadian Public Works Association Director
Ferguson, Travis Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Director
Kirk, Sher Canadian One-Call Centres Committee Director

TransCanada & Manitoba Common Ground Alliance
Loney, Steven Director
(MCGA)
Pacheco, Elaine Canadian Energy Pipeline Association Director
Canadian Association of Pipeline & Utility Locating
Palaniuk, Randy Director
Contractors
Posehn, Daryl Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance (SCGA) Director
Ramor, Brian Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association Director

SaskEnergy Incorporated & Saskatchewan Common
Reeve, Dean Director
Ground Alliance (SCGA)
Enbridge Gas New Brunswick & Atlantic Canada
Scott, Todd Director
Common Ground Alliance (ATLCGA)
TransCanada & Alberta Common Ground Alliance
Watson, Brad Director
(ABCGA)
Neufeld, Shannon National Energy Board Federal Champion
Underground
Canadian Common Ground Alliance
Best Practices Version 1.0 – October 2014
100
Infrastructure Damage
Prevention
98397_ORCGA_BestPract-TEXT-Oct2014.indd 100 16/10/14 9:42 A
Best Practices
Version 2.0 – October 2016
Terms and Conditions of Use
The CCGA Best Practices have been developed through the commitment and
consensus of a significant number of stakeholders to serve as an educational
guide to promote damage prevention in Canada. It is subject to the following
limitations:
• The Canadian Common Ground Alliance does not endorse any product,
technology or company even though it is supported financially by its
member companies and sponsors.
• The CCGA Best Practices manual is an educational guide and a general

purpose tool which is not meant to replace existing standards, policies, or
provincial/federal regulations or laws.
• The practice statements and descriptions outlined in each chapter of the

guide represent activities that are currently followed by industry to pro-
mote damage to underground infrastructure. Not all stakeholders are in a
position to adopt these best practices but it is hoped that they will become
universal over time.
The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) is a non-profit

organization dedicated to securing, maintaining and enhancing the
integrity of Canada’s underground utility infrastructure.
Damage Prevention is a Shared Responsibility

This is the value upon which the CCGA was built. Whether you are a faci-
lity owner or operator, locator, design professional, one-call centre contact
employee, excavator, contractor or other damage prevention stakeholder,
the safety of those living and working near Canada’s underground utility
infrastructure, and preserving the reliability and integrity of Canada’s critical
public services, is everyone’s responsibility.
CCGA Vision
To be the unified damage prevention voice for all Canadian national organi-
zations and associations who share common damage prevention and public
safety solutions.
CCGA Mission
To enhance public safety, and increase the integrity and reliability of Canada’s
underground utility infrastructure, through the development and implementa-
tion of effective and efficient damage prevention practices across Canada.
For additional information on the CCGA, or to learn how to become a
member of your Regional Partner of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance,
visit www.CanadianCGA.com
or contact:
The Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Suite 104
4242 Seventh Street SE
Calgary, Alberta T2G 2Y8
Tel: 403.531.3700
Email: info@canadiancga.com
Introduction
The
The Canadian Common Ground
Alliance(CCGA)
(CCGA)isisan
anorganization
organizationpromoting
promoting
efficient and effective
efficient and effective damage
damage prevention
preventionforforCanada’s
Canada’svital
vitalunderground
underground
infrastructure. Through aa unified
infrastructure. Through unified approach
approachandandstakeholder
stakeholderconsensus,
consensus,the
the
CCGA works to reduce damages to underground infrastructure
CCGA works to reduce damages to underground infrastructure - ensuring– ensuring
public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services by pro-
public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services by
moting effective damage prevention practices.
promoting effective damage prevention practices.
The
We areCCGA’s historyorganization
a growing is significantly
anddifferent
through thethanRegional
its U.S. Partners
parent the Common
of the
Ground Alliance. In Canada, Regional Partners emerged
Common Ground Alliance in Canada, we represent a wide cross-section offrom the “ground
up” in Ontarioincluding:
stakeholders (ORCGA), British Columbia Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA),
Québec CGA (APISQ), the Alberta Common Ground Alliance (ABCGA), Saska-
Electrical
tchewan Distribution
ElectricalRegional CommonLandscape/Fencing
Distribution Land
GroundSurveying
Alliance and more Railway
Railwaysthe Manitoba
recently,
Regional
Electrical Common
TransmissionGround Alliance
Land and
Surveying the Atlantic Canada
RegulatorCommon Ground
ElectricalRecognizing
Alliance. Transmission Landscape/Fencing
that each Regional Partner sharedRegulator
common national
Engineering
issues, the CCGA began asLocator
Engineering an ad hoc committee in 2006
Locator Road Builders
to
Road address
Buildersthose
issues from
Equipment a national
&& Suppliers perspective. Over
Municipal &&Public the course
Works of only a few years, it
Safety Organization
Equipment
became clear Suppliers
that the CCGAMunicipal
required more Public Works toSafety
structure Organization
maintain momentum
on key issues and in 2009,Oil
Excavator a governance model was Telecommunications
& Gas Distribution introduced and accepted
Excavator Oil & Gas Distribution Telecommunications
by the Committee. In late 2009, and in accordance with the approved go-
Homebuilder One-Call Transmission Pipeline
vernance
Homebuilder model, the CCGA One-Call
held its first election to secure an “Executive”
Transmission -a
Pipeline
Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary.
Insurance
Insurance
The CCGA’s primary role is to manage damage prevention issues of national
For over a decade these stakeholder groups have been active in promoting
interest that Regional Partners consider best addressed in a spirit of shared
“Call Before You Dig” and other good damage prevention practices through
responsibility through a single voice.
provincial regional partnerships which have come together and
amalgamated
We are a growing under the CCGA name
organization to provide
and through a single voice
the Regional representing
Partners of the
the damage
Common prevention
Ground Alliancecommunity
in Canadain(see Canada. The CCGA
the inside is the common
back cover), we repre-
voiceafor
sent damage
wide prevention
cross-section issues of a national
of stakeholders including:scope.
The CCGA has produced National Harmonized
Construction InsuranceBest Practices based on
the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance Best Practices, version 8.0
Electrical Distribution and Landowners
and the product of a collaborative effort among all Regional Partners of the
Transmission
Common Ground Alliance in Canada. TheLandscape/Fencing
CCGA also acknowledges the
establishedservices
Emergency Common Ground Alliance Best Practices (United States) initiated
Locator
by the Common Ground Study and presented to the U.S. Secretary of
Engineering and Land Surveying Municipal and Public Works
Transportation in June 1999.
Equipment manufacturing and One-Call
Suppliers
This set of National Harmonized Best Practices 1.0 - 2014, is the first but,
Railways
through the commitment and consensus of its members working together
Excavator
towards a safer Canada, will be part of an Road Builders
ongoing effort to develop new
Gas & Oilprevention
damage Distributionpractices
and as well as improve existing ones. These
Telecommunications
Transmission
practices represent a dynamic statement of the type of activities that CCGA
believes would provide optimum levels of diligence towards preventing
Government/Regulators
damage to underground infrastructure. It is understood that not all
stakeholders
For over a decade are presently in a position
these stakeholder to adopt
groups haveall of these
been activepractices,
in promoting
however,prevention
damage it is anticipated thatthrough
practices progress will be made
provincial towards
regional followingwhich
partnerships these
practices
have comeover time. and amalgamated under the CCGA name to provide a
together
single voice representing the damage prevention community in Canada. The
CCGA is theand
Comments common voice for
suggestions damage prevention
on improving the formatissues of a national
and content are scope.
welcome.
The CCGAOurhas intent is to National
produced make theHarmonized
statement of these
Best Best Practices
Practices based on as the
easy
Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance Best Practices, version 8.0 andin
to use as possible. If we can improve upon what you see here, your input
helping
the us doofso
product would be most
a collaborative appreciated.
effort AllRegional
among all industry Partners
stakeholders areCom-
of the
welcome to submit suggestions and to join the Best Practice Committee.
Canadian Common
Best Practices
Best Practices Version
Version 1.0
2.0 – October 2014
2016
11
Participation
mon Ground at this level
Alliance is not restricted
in Canada. The CCGA to CCGA members.
also acknowledges the establi-
shed Common Ground Alliance Best Practices (United States) initiated by the
In order Ground
Common to facilitate
Studytheandmaintaining
presented to&the governance of these
U.S. Secretary CCGA Best
of Transportation
Practices,
in June 1999. a procedure has been created to guide the submission of potential
changes via a process that provides the oversight & approval of the CCGA
Board
This setofofDirectors
National as well as both
Harmonized Best thePractices
National2.0& Regional Common
- 2016, which Ground
has been
Alliance Best
updated Practices
through Committees.
the commitment andAconsensus
form for the
of itssubmission of potential
members working
changes towards
together to the CCGA
a saferBest Practices
Canada, is partcan be ongoing
of an found ineffort
Appendix D of new
to develop this
document
damage & the change
prevention procedure,
practices as well the “Harmonized
as improve Best
existing Practices
ones. TheseProcess;
prac-
CCGArepresent
tices BP Process V 1.0 – 2014”
a dynamic is available
statement on the
of the type CCGA website.
of activities that CCGA be-
lieves would provide optimum levels of diligence towards preventing damage
to underground infrastructure. It is understood that not all stakeholders are
To participate in the CCGA Best Practices work or to participate in any
presently in a position to adopt all of these practices, however, it is antici-
committee meeting, please check the CCGA website (CanadianCGA.com) to
pated that progress will be made towards following these practices over time.
learn the scope of the various CCGA Committees. The meeting dates and
contact
Comments namesand and numberson
suggestions areimproving
listed for the
eachformat
committee. If you are
and content havewel-
any
generalOur
come. inquiries
intent about the CCGA,
is to make please feel
the statement of free
thesetoBest
contact the CCGA
Practices at the
as easy
following:
to use as possible. If we can improve upon what you see here, your input in
helping us do so would be most appreciated.
The Canadian Common Ground Alliance
4242 Seventh
Participation atStreet SE is not restricted to CCGA members. In order to
this level
Suite 104
facilitate the maintaining & governance of these CCGA Best Practices, a
Calgary, Alberta
procedure has beenT2G 2Y8 to guide the submission of potential changes
created
via a process that provides the oversight & approval of the CCGA Board of
Directors
Tel: as well as both the National & Regional Common Ground Alliance
403.531.3700
Best
Email:Practices Committees. A form for the submission of potential changes to
info@canadiancga.com
the CCGA Best Practices can be found in Appendix D of this document & the
Web: www.CanadianCGA.com
change procedure, the “Harmonized Best Practices Process; CCGA BP Process
V 2.0 – 2016” is available on the CCGA website.
To participate in the CCGA Best Practices work or to participate in any com-

mittee meeting, please check the CCGA website (CanadianCGA.com) to learn
the scope of the various CCGA Committees. If you have any general inquiries
about the CCGA, please feel free to contact the CCGA at the following:
Email: info@canadiancga.com
Web: www.CanadianCGA.com

22 Best Practices Version 2.0
1.0 – October 2016
2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Practice Statements & Descriptions

Practice Statements & Descriptions
1-0 Planning and Design Best Practices..................................... 5
1-0 Planning and Design Best Practices………………………..5
2-0 One-Call Centre Best Practices............................................ 21
2-0 Locating
3-0 One-Call
andCentre Practices…………………...................21
Marking Best Practices.................................... 35
4-0 Excavation Best Practices................................................... 49

3-0 Locating and Marking Best Practices…………………….35
5-0 Mapping Best Practices...................................................... 65
4-0 Compliance
6-0 Excavation Best
Best Practices………………………………….…5169
Practices..................................................
7-0 Public Education Best Practices........................................... 77

5-0 Mapping Best Practices………………………………………..65
8-0 Reporting and Evaluation Best Practices.............................. 81
6-0 Compliance Best Practices…………………………………..69
Appendix
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms & Definitions........................ 85
7-0 Public Education Best Practices……………………………75
Appendix B: CCGA Best Practice Proposal Form
& CCGA Best Practices Process;
8-0 ReportingFlow
andDiagram..................................................
Evaluation Best Practices……… …….79 89
Appendix C: How to Read a Locate Sheet............................. 91

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms & Definitions
Appendix B: D: Dirt
Appendix CCGAFieldBest
FormPractice Proposal
& Root Tip Form &
Card........................ 93
CCGA Best Practices Process; Flow Diagram
Appendix E: Regional Common Ground Alliance Sponsors
Appendix
C: &How to Read
Canadian Commona LocateGround SheetAlliance
Supporters....................................................... 97
Appendix D: DIRT Field Form & Root Tip Card
Appendix E: Regional Common Ground Alliance Sponsors

& Canadian Common Ground Alliance
Supporters

Best Practices Version 2.0
1.0 – October 2016
2014 3
1.0 – October 2016
2014
1 Planning and Design
1-0 Planning and Design
Best Practices
1-0 Planning and Design Best Practices
1-1: Planning Utility Corridors
Practice Statement: Designers and planners should evaluate all
applicable factors when determining the placement of underground utilities.
Ideally speaking, existing utility corridors should be used to the fullest extent,
and, for entirely new installations, consideration should be given to the
creation of a common utility corridor for the current, and future placement of
all utilities.
Practice Description: Pre-planning for utility placement within current or

proposed utility corridors is vital to the overall safe operation of that
corridor. Planners and designers should research, examine and evaluate the
size, and location of the area to be utilized, and determine the type and
running line location of the utilities that must utilize the corridor. In the case
of existing corridors, the information developed must be assessed in the
context of the proposed installation to determine the safest, most efficient,
and most effective configuration. In the case of entirely new installations in
proposed corridors, the information developed must be assessed in the
context of a common corridor configuration that accommodates all of the
utilities involved. Consideration should be given to issues such as safety,
setbacks, future operations and maintenance, preservation of boundaries,
clearances and future expansion.
Planning practices, such as joint trenching and the development of Utilidors,

should be considered as options for maximizing the effectiveness of the
available area. Similarly, standardized line locations could be adopted that
promote the safest, most efficient, and most effective installations.
Consideration should be given to the development of provincially consistent

standards for the planning, design, and construction of common utility
corridors. This should incorporate minimum guidelines for sizes/spacing
between utilities in corridors, protection of property bars, and the consistent
standard placement of utilities within the Right of Way.
Benefits:
The use of common utility corridors would result in the following benefits:
1. Accurate information as to the location of underground utilities in a

particular geographic area.
2. Safe, efficient, and effective installation, placement, operation and

maintenance and of underground utilities.
3. Efficient and effective utilization of land.
4. Easy identification and location of underground utilities in future

development projects.
5. Damage Prevention.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 55
Current Practice:
Current
• JointPractice:
Trenching is an encouraged practice which involves the use of a
• common
Joint trench forisall
Trenching anofencouraged
the utilitiespractice
in a corridor.
which involves the use of a
• common trench for all of the utilities in a corridor.
Utilidors is a concept that is becoming more prominent in many
• jurisdictions.
Utilidors is aItconcept
involvesthat
the iscreation
becomingof amore
common utility corridor
prominent in many for the
future installation of utilities in a geographic area.
jurisdictions. It involves the creation of a common utility corridor for the
• future
Running installation of utilitiesare
Line Locations in aconsistent
geographic area. offsets from the
standard
• property
Runningline and/or
Line street line
Locations for placement
are consistent of utilities.
standard offsets from the
property
References: line and/or street line for placement of utilities.
•References:
CSA S250-11, Mapping of Underground Utility Infrastructure
• CSA S250-11, Mapping of Underground Utility Infrastructure
1-2: The Protection of Survey Infrastructure

1-2: The
Practice Protection
Statement: ofdesigning
When SurveytheInfrastructure
location for placement of new
underground infrastructure,
Practice Statement: planners
When and designers
designing should
the location plan it
for placement of new
accordingly ininfrastructure,
underground order to protect the survey
planners infrastructure
and designers so that
should plan the
it public
interest mayinbeorder
accordingly served and protected
to protect the survey infrastructure so that the public
interest may be served and protected
Practice Description: Service laterals must be designed and installed to
avoid disturbing
Practice property corners.
Description: Service laterals must be designed and installed to
avoid disturbing property corners.
References:
References:
1. Because of their significance, survey monuments are protected by both
federalofand
1. Because provincial
their law. survey monuments are protected by both
significance,
federal and
The Criminal provincial
Code law. R.S. 1985, c. C-46 under Part XI, Sec. 442
of Canada
and Criminal
The 443 states,Code
"Everyone who wilfully
of Canada pulls down,
R.S. 1985, defaces,
c. C-46 under alters or Sec.
Part XI, removes
442
anything planted or set up as the boundary line or part of the boundary
and 443 states, "Everyone who wilfully pulls down, defaces, alters or removes line of
land is guilty
anything of anoroffence
planted punishable
set up as on summary
the boundary conviction."
line or part of the boundary line of
land is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction."
2. CSA Z247-15, Damage prevention for the protection of underground
m minfrastructure.
2. CSA Z247-15, Damage prevention for the protection of underground
m minfrastructure.
1-3: Inclusion of Utility Infrastructure on

1-3: Inclusion of Utility
Development PlansInfrastructure on
Development Plans
Practice Statement: For the purposes of this section Development Plans
include;
PracticeOfficial Plans, Re-zonings,
Statement: Draft plans
For the purposes of section
of this Subdivision/Condominium,
Development Plans
and Site Official
include; Plans. Development plans Draft
Plans, Re-zonings, involving the
plans ofdevelopment of real
Subdivision/Condominium,
property shouldDevelopment
and Site Plans. include the designation of existing
plans involving and proposed
the development of both
of real
above and
property underground
should utility
include the infrastructure.
designation of existing and proposed of both
above and underground utility infrastructure.
Canadian Common
Canadian Common Ground
Ground Alliance
Alliance
Best
Best Practices
Practices
Canadian Version 2.0
Version 1.0
Common – October
- October
Ground 2016
2014
Alliance
66
6 Best Practices Version 1.0 - October 2014
Practice Description: Various items are required on the Development
Plans filed prior to the development of lands. Where a Development Plan is
to be filed, the items required should include the location[s] of both above
and underground facilities traversing the land described on the
Development Plan. Identification of the location[s] of both above and
underground facilities on the Development Plan would provide notice to
developers and the public about the existence of infrastructure facilities,
and would alert facility owners/operators of the need to establish
communication with the developers to facilitate planning for the lands
which complements the utility infrastructure. Facility and utility owners
should maintain timely and accurate records of all abandoned and out-of-
service plant, and this information should be identified on Development
Plans along with the existing, future, and proposed facilities.
Benefits: The requirement that utility infrastructure locations be identified

on the Draft and Site Plans is shared with the underground facility owners/
operators should ensure that facility owners/operators are fully aware of
development which will impact on their facilities well in advance of the
commencement of excavation activity. It should also facilitate the optimal
use of the land being developed, and maintain the integrity of the utility
infrastructure.
References:
x CSA S250-11, Mapping of Underground Utility Infrastructure
1-4: Gathering Information for Design Purposes

Practice Statement: The designer/engineer should use all reasonable
and available means of obtaining information about utility facilities in the
area to be developed.
Practice Description: During the planning or preliminary design phase of

a project, all available information should be gathered from the facility
owners/operators, including maps of existing, abandoned, and out-of-
service facilities, as-built of facilities in the area, proposed projects, and
schedules of work in the area. The methods of gathering information should
include contacting a One-Call Centre, facility owners/operators, property
owners, Public Utility Commission (PUCs), and government (municipal,
provincial, and federal) departments and agencies. They also include a
review of the site for above ground evidence of underground utilities, e.g.
permanent signs or markers, manhole covers, vent pipes, power and
communication pedestals, and valve covers. The facility owner/operator
provides the locations of his/her underground facilities by other means, such
as by marking preliminary design drawings or providing facility records to
the designer. This latter option for gathering the required information should
be pursued purposefully by the designer. The information gathered by these
methods is used by the designer for purposes of route selection and
preliminary neighbourhood impacts, or in the evaluation of different design
possibilities.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 77
During the detailed design phase of a project, it is necessary to develop
detailed information on the locations of utility facilities in the project area in
order to ensure accuracy, and minimize the possibility of utility conflicts.
This detailed information can be obtained through a survey of utility
infrastructure and the methods utilized should be documented.
Benefits: Gathering underground facility information and incorporating this
information in the planning and design phase minimizes the hazards, cost,
and work to produce the final project. Safety is enhanced, unexpected facility
conflicts are eliminated, and facility relocations are minimized.
Current Practice:
Project owners utilize some basic practices when performing a survey of

utility infrastructure. For effective results the steps should be performed in
sequence. However it is not necessary to complete all steps depending on
the level of information required. The steps are as follows:
1. Use all available existing utility facility records to obtain information

about locations of existing and proposed underground facilities in the
entire construction project area;
2. Visit the job site to correlate the information already gathered about
existing utility facilities with above ground features;
3. Use appropriate instruments to determine the approximate horizontal

locations of the underground facilities identified; and
4. Use test holes to positively determine the exact location of existing

underground facilities. At this point, horizontal and vertical control
measurements may be taken. Test holes are used to positively locate
and identify an underground facility by exposing the facility by a non-
destructive means, e.g. vacuum excavation.
References:
1-5: Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)

Practice Statement: The project owner should consider the use of
Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) techniques as a structured method of
gathering and depicting utility information for design purposes.
Practice Description: SUE is applied during the design phase to locate,

identify, and characterize all existing utility infrastructure (and other relevant
non-utility features) found within a given project. SUE is applied in a
structured manner, in accordance with practices and Quality Levels found in
ASCE 38-02 Standard Guideline for the Collection and Depiction of Existing
Subsurface Utility Data. Although the Standard is more detailed and
comprehensive, the following is a brief summary of the Quality Levels defined
therein: Quality Level D – information gathered solely from existing utility

1.0 – October 2016
2014
records which will provide an overall sense of the congestion of utilities, but
records
is limitedwhich will of
in terms provide an overall sense
comprehensiveness andof accuracy.
the congestion of utilities, but
is limited in terms of comprehensiveness
The four (4) Quality Levels are: and accuracy.
The four (4) Quality Levels are:
1. Quality Level D – information gathered solely from existing utility
1. records
Quality which
Level Dwill – information gathered
provide an overall solely
sense fromcongestion
of the existing utility
of utilities,
records
but whichinwill
is limited provide
terms an overall sense ofand
of comprehensiveness the accuracy.
congestion of of
Use utilities,
but is limited
Quality Level D in information
terms of comprehensiveness
should be limited to andproject
accuracy. Use of
planning and
Quality
route Level Dactivities;
selection information should be limited to project planning and
route selection activities;
2. Quality Level C – information gathered from surveying above ground
2. facilities
Quality Level
such C as–manholes,
information gathered
valve boxes,fromand surveying
pedestals above
which isground
used to
facilities such
augment as manholes,
the information valve boxes,
gathered in LevelandD;pedestals which is used to
augment the information gathered in Level D;
3. Quality Level B – involves ‘designating’ or the use of surface
3. geophysical
Quality Leveltechniques
B – involves ‘designating’
to determine theorexistence
the use of surface
and horizontal
geophysical
position techniques
of facilities, to determine
including the existence
those identified andC.horizontal
in Level Two-
position of facilities,
dimensional mappingincluding
informationthose identified The
is obtained. in Level
dataC.obtained
Two- is
usually sufficient for excavation planning. The data obtained can is
dimensional mapping information is obtained. The data obtained
usually sufficient
facilitate decisionsfor excavation
with respect to planning. The data
the placement obtained
of new can or
structures
facilitateto
facilities decisions with respect
avoid conflicts to the placement
with existing of new structures or
facilities; and
facilities to avoid conflicts with existing facilities; and
4. Quality Level A – involves ‘locating’ or the use of non-destructive
4. excavation
Quality Level A – involves
devices ‘locating’
at critical locations or to
thedetermine
use of non-destructive
the precise
excavationand
horizontal devices
verticalat critical
positionlocations
of existingto determine
facilities, asthewell
precise
as the type,
horizontal
size, and vertical
condition, material, position
and otherof existing facilities,When
characteristics. as well as the type,
surveyed and
size, condition,
mapped, precisematerial,
plan andand other
profile characteristics.
information Whenfor
is available surveyed
use in and
mapped,final
making precise
design plan and profile
decisions. Theinformation
SUE engineer is available
guaranteesfor the
use in
making final
accuracy design
of the Leveldecisions. The SUE engineer guarantees the
A information.
accuracy of the Level A information.
References:
References:
1-6: Identifying Existing Facilities in Planning and
1-6: Identifying Existing Facilities in Planning and
Design
Design
Practice Statement: Designers should indicate existing utility facilities on
Practiceduring
drawings Statement:
planningDesigners
and design. should indicate existing utility facilities on
drawings during planning and design.
Practice Description: During the planning and preliminary design phase of
aPractice Description:
project, existing facilities,During thehydro/electric,
such as planning and gas, preliminary design phase of
telecommunications,
a project,
CATV, existing
water mainsfacilities,
and sewers suchshould
as hydro/electric,
be shown ongas, telecommunications,
preliminary design plans.
CATV,
The water mains
planning and sewers
documents should should
includebe shownroutes
possible on preliminary design plans.
for the project
The planning
together with documents should include
known underground facilitypossible routesThe
information. for facility
the project
together with known
owners/operators underground
should be given thefacility information.
opportunity The facility
to provide appropriate
owners/operators should be given the opportunity to provide appropriate
comments.
comments.
During the detailed design phase of a project, utility facility information is
During on
shown thethe
detailed
plans.design
The methodphase used
of a project,
to gatherutility facility information
information should be is
shownon
noted onthe
theplans
plans.byThe
themethod
project used
ownertosogather information
that the designer should
and thebe
noted on the plans by the project owner so that the designer and the

Best Practices
Common 1.0 – October
Ground 2016
2014
Alliance 99
Best Practices Version 1.0 – October 2014 9
contractor both know the quality of the information included on the plans.
The facilities shown should include active, abandoned, out-of-service, future
use, and proposed facilities. The design plans should include a summary
showing the proposed facility route or excavation. The design plans should
be provided to affected facility owners/operators in order to provide an
opportunity for final comment/clarification.
Benefits: Providing complete underground facility information and

including this information on design drawings reduces safety hazards,
simplifies coordination, and minimizes final project costs.
Current Practice:
A potential practice is described below:
At 30% Design Review
A utility coordination meeting is set up for the Project Manager to meet with
all utilities having facilities within the boundaries of the project, as well as
potential utilities that may wish to place facilities within the limits of the
project. Plan design drawings and cross sections are circulated to the utility
companies prior to the meeting highlighting potential conflicts. During the
meeting the following issues are addressed:
Ensure that all utilities have been correctly identified on the base
drawings
Identify Areas of conflict
Discuss Potential Solutions
Discuss the Region’s project timing
Address relocation restrictions such as property acquisition, stream or
railway crossings
Discuss additional test pitting that may be required as well as level of
detail required (i.e. SUE)
Minutes should be prepared by the project Manager or his/her consultant

and circulated to all attendees for verification.
At the second utility coordination meeting, the utility companies should be

bringing to the table a drawing (supplied originally by the Region) showing
how each utility will be addressing their relocates. Each facility’s location
should be based on Regional standard offsets and comments made at first
meeting. This meeting should accomplish the following:
Approval in principle is given for the overall co-ordination plan

General timing required for relocation
Date confirmed for receipt by Region for final drawings for approval and
Municipal consent
Project timing update
General estimate

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Minutes should be prepared by the project Manager or his/her consultant
and circulated to all attendees.
By this point in time, the utility relocation plans have been submitted and
approved, cost sharing estimates (in accordance with the governing
agreements) have been submitted and approved, written notification to
each utility mandating relocation (in accordance with the governing
agreements) has been given and notification time has passed. All land
acquisition has been secured by the Region, and all utilities should be on
site relocating their facilities.
If the utility can only move during the reconstruction contract, a relocation
timing window must be established to co-ordinate works and provide for a
separation of time and distance between contractors.
At Pre-Tender Meeting
Calls are made to each utility confirming progress on site and ensuring
relocation complete prior to Region’s contractor on site.
References:
DESIGN PROCESS
1-7: Utility Coordination

Practice Statement: Project owners and facility owners/operators should
regularly communicate and coordinate with each other concerning current
and future projects. Consideration should be given to the establishment of
Utility Coordinating Committees (UCCs) mandated to deal with specific
projects as well as issues of concern.
Practice Description: Project Owners should circulate design drawings to

facility owners/operators for the purpose of allowing the facility owner/
operator to identify the location of their infrastructure, and potential conflicts.
The design drawings should contain sufficient information of the proposed
work to allow the facility owner to understand the scope of the work and the
impact of such work on their structures. Where relocation of facilities will be
required, a realistic schedule should be developed that allows time for the
design, construction and budget approval of the relocated facilities.
Utility coordinating committees provide a mechanism through which win-

win solutions can be developed for problems associated with the
management of the public and private infrastructure projects within the
public road allowance. These problems are generally due to poor

1.0 – October 2016
2014 11
communication and coordination between the key parties involved in the
design and construction of the public and private infrastructure works in
the public road allowance. The impact of this poor communication and
coordination is often significant and results in increases in project costs,
project construction delays and difficult working relationships due to the
need to relocate existing infrastructure. The frequency of these problems
and their potential impact on project budgets increases with the density of
the infrastructure, the demand for occupancy and space within the road
allowance, and poor quality as-built records of existing public and private
infrastructure. An active utility coordinating committee mitigates the
frequency and financial impact of these problems through improved
communication procedures, improved coordination of planned capital works
/ operation works and improved working relationships.
The key factors in the success of a UCC are:
x The committee be founded and guided by the spirit of cooperation;
x The committee operate under a Terms of Reference or Charter
approved by the committee members;
x The member organizations be committed to the responsibilities of the
committee; and
x Strong leadership, planning ability and implementation skills are
necessary skills of the designated representatives of each member
organization.
Benefits: Regular communication between utility owners/operators,

municipalities, consulting engineers and contractors improves the level of
information concerning current and future projects, and contributes to the
identification and resolution of issues of mutual concern.
Communications Protocol
Principles for effective communication in joint utility coordination
Communications among project owners and facility owners/operators should

reflect the following:
x Timeliness – Communication among the stakeholders in any project
should emphasize the importance of timeliness. Project progress can be
facilitated through attention being placed on the time required to
respond to requests for information and/or approvals. Conversely
inadequate attention to time can lead to significant project delays. The
stakeholders should be aware of the time required for responding to
such requests, and should incorporate those time lines into the overall
project schedule.
x Response Times – Once the time requirements for the collection and
compilation of information, completion of design and/or the securing of
approvals have been identified, response times should fall within the
time parameters established.
x Scope – The exact nature of the request must be clearly stated, and
understood by both the requester and the responder. If the requested

1.0 – October 2016
2014
information, design and/or approval cannot be provided within the
overall response time established, this fact should be communicated.
x Frequency – The communication should be regular and on-going so
that the needs of both parties are fully understood.
Stages
Communications between project owners and facility owners/operators

should take place at each of the following stages:
x Long Range Planning – The point at which the ‘strategic, long-term’
capital plan is being developed, and approved.
x Multi-Year Program – The point at which the multi-year capital plan is
finalized and approved. Multi-year time frames vary according to the
project owner’s overall planning framework but, for the purposes of this
protocol, multi-year is a minimum of two years and a maximum of five
years.
x Project Design Initiation – The point at which the project owner/facility
owner/operator is able to define the scope of the project, including the
likely starting time for construction.
x Detailed Design – The point at which the exact details of the project
have been defined and the construction documents are ready for
tender.
x Current Year Program – The point at which the current year program is
approved and financed for program construction.
x Construction – During the construction period in order to respond to
any circumstances or situations, e.g. where design alterations need to
be made.
References:
1-8: Underground Facilities should be Locatable

Practice Statement: The presence and type of underground facilities
should be readily locatable, and may be identified through such devices as
tone-able pipes, cables, tracer wire, or locator balls and may also include
permanent above and/or below ground markers.
Practice Description: No underground facilities should be installed that

cannot be readily found at a later date. Existing methods for locating utilities
include using geophysical methods for tone-able facilities and those with
tracer wire, or the use of permanent locator ball systems. A combination of
above and below ground markers could also be used to identify and locate
underground facilities. The above ground markers are to identify facilities,
and not to circumvent the need to locate facilities prior to excavation. Above
ground markers should be developed in the design phase of a project, and
should include the company name, type of facility, and emergency contact.
The location and types of markers should be specified in the construction
plans. (APWA colour standards)

1.0 – October 2016
2014 13
Examples of Practice:
1. In planning the designer should obtain a list of affected facilities and

contact the facility owner for design and encroachment information.
The design should include, as specified by the facility owner/operator,
marker locations for each encroachment during and after construction.
2. In the installation of additional underground facilities, the designer

should obtain a list of affected facilities, and should include a detailed
marker system to effectively mark the underground facilities. Examples
of a detailed marker system include tracer wires on non-metallic
facilities and electronic or surface markers for facilities at excessive
depths.
Benefits: The design includes provisions to aid in future locates. In

addition, an effective marker system will assist facility owners/operators or
first responders to an area involving more than one underground facility or
an incident near underground facilities.
References:
1-9: Follow All Applicable Codes, Regulations, and

Facility Owner/Operator Standards
Practice Statement: When planning and designing the installation of new
or replacement facilities, the designer should ensure compliance with all
x federal and provincial statutes, regulations, codes, standards, and
guidelines
x municipal by-laws
x owner/operator standards, and
x Best Practices.
Practice Description: The designer of a facility project should consider

standards and practices and comply with codes, and regulations applicable
to that particular facility, and adjacent facilities. As a matter of practice the
designer should circulate the design to the appropriate stakeholders within
the right-of-way to ensure compliance. Stakeholder review is facilitated by
the level of detail which accompanies the design. Regulations, codes,
standards and other design documents generally specify depth of cover, and
horizontal and vertical clearances between adjacent facilities.
The designer should consider the protection and temporary support of

adjacent facilities, and any interference with existing cathodic protection and
grounding systems. Consequently, the designer has to provide specifications
on safety measures to be taken and procedures for emergency notification
and repairs in the case of any damage to an adjacent facility. Designers and
facility owners should make all parties aware of new and revised standards
and codes that may affect the project.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Benefits: By reviewing applicable regulations, codes, and standards, the
Benefits:
Benefits: By
By reviewing
reviewing applicable
applicable regulations,
regulations, codes,
codes, and
and standards,
standards, the
designer minimizes potential conflicts/damages, and facilitates future the
designer
designer minimizes
minimizes potential
potential conflicts/damages,
conflicts/damages, and
and facilitates
facilitates future
future
locates.
locates.
locates.
References:
References:
References:
xx CSA
CSA S250-11,
S250-11, Mapping
Mapping of
of Underground
Underground Utility
Utility Infrastructure
Infrastructure
1-10: Constructability Review
1-10:
1-10: Constructability
Constructability Review
Review
Practice Statement: Although constructability reviews should occur
Practice
Practice Statement:
Statement: Although
Although constructability reviews should occur
throughout the design stage , priorconstructability
to the finalizationreviews
of theshould
design, occur
the
throughout
throughout the design
thebe
design stage , prior to the finalization of the design, the
, prior
stageto to the finalization of the
project should subjected a constructability review. Thedesign, the in
participants
project
project should
should be
be subjected
subjected to aa constructability review. The
The participants in
this process should include atoconstructor,
constructability review.
the project participants and
designer/engineer, in
this
this process
process should
should include
include a
a constructor,
constructor, the
the project
project designer/engineer,
designer/engineer, and
and
the project owner. Other participants could include the facility owners/
the
the project owner.
projectaffected
owner. byOther
Other participants could include the facility
facilityinowners/
operators the participants
project. Thiscould include
process theresult
should owners/
a final design
operators
operators affected
affected by
by the
the project.
project. This
This process
process should
should result
result in
in a
a final
final design
design
which can be circulated as appropriate for approvals.
Practice Description: This practice will allow the designer/engineer,
Practice
Practice Description:
Description: This
This practice will allow
allow the
the designer/engineer,
constructor, project owner, andpractice
facility will
owners/operators designer/engineer,
to assess the
constructor, project
constructor, project owner,
owner, and
and facility owners/operators
facilityassess
owners/operators to
to assess
assess the
the
constructability of the project design, project alternatives, review
constructability
constructability of
of the
the project
project design,
design, assess
assess project
project alternatives,
alternatives, review
review
proposed schedules, and to facilitate smoother, less costly, more efficient
proposed
proposed schedules, andand to
to facilitate
facilitate smoother,
smoother, lessless costly,
costly, more
more efficient
and safer schedules,
construction. efficient
and safer construction.
and safer construction.
Benefits: The application of constructability reviews will result in more
Benefits:
Benefits: The
The application
application of constructability reviews will
will result in more
efficient construction, moreof constructability
effective reviews costs,
design, reduced result
and in more
improved
efficient
efficient construction,
construction, more
more effective
effective design,
design, reduced
reduced costs,
costs, and
and improved
improved
safety.
safety.
safety.
PRE-BID/BID
PRE-BID/BID
PRE-BID/BID
1-11: Use of Qualified Contractors
1-11:
1-11: Use
Use of
of Qualified
Qualified Contractors
Contractors
Practice Statement: Qualified contractors should be used to excavate on
Practice
Practice Statement:
Statement:facilities.Qualified
Qualified contractors
contractors should
should be be used
used toto excavate
excavate on on
and near underground
and
and near
near underground
underground facilities.
facilities.
Practice Description: Contractors that excavate on and near
Practice
Description: Contractors
Contractors that excavate
excavate on on and near
underground facilities should possess that the qualifications and near to conduct
necessary
underground
underground facilities should possess the qualifications necessary to
to conduct
such activitiesfacilities
in a mannershouldthatpossess
is boththe qualifications
safe and reliable,necessary
and ensures conduct
a
such
such activities
activities in
in a
a manner
manner that
that is
is both
both safe
safe and
and reliable,
reliable, and
and ensures
ensures a
a
quality product. The use of qualified contractors ensures that contractors
quality
quality product.
product. The
The use
use of
of qualified
qualified contractors
contractors ensures
ensures that
that contractors
contractors
retained to work on a project are capable of performing the work required,
retained
retained to
to work
work on
on Bya
a project
project are capable
capable of
arecontractors performing
of to
performing the work
work required,
the public required,
and operate safely. requiring be qualified, safety is
and operate
and operate safely. By requiring contractors to be qualified, public safety is
protected as safely. By requiring
is the integrity of the contractors
underground to be qualified,
facilities public
in the areasafety
of theis
protected
protected as is
is the
the integrity
asAllowing integrity of
of the
the underground
underground facilities
facilities in
in the
the area
area ofof the
the
excavation. a competitive bidding process from qualified,
excavation.
excavation. Allowing
Allowing a
a competitive
competitive bidding
bidding process
process from
from qualified,
qualified,
competent, and experienced contractors should assure both quality and
competent,
competent, and
and experienced
experienced contractors
contractors should
shouldtoassure
assure both
both quality
quality and
and
price, and should minimize the risk of damage underground facilities.
price, and should minimize the risk of damage to underground
price, and should minimize the risk of damage to underground facilities. facilities.
Example of Practice: Most large organizations involved in capital works
Example
Example of
of Practice:
Practice: Most large organizations involved in
in capital works
have developed policies Most largecontractors.
to qualify organizations involved
These policies capital works
often involve
have developed
have developed policies
policies to qualify
to qualify contractors.
contractors. These policies often involve
establishing criteria in such areas as financing, These
insurance,policies often involve
occupational
establishing
establishing criteria
criteria inin such
such areas
areas as as financing,
financing, insurance,
insurance, occupational
occupational
Canadian
Canadian Common
Common Ground
Ground Alliance
Alliance
Best 2.0 – October 2016
Practices Version 1.0 15
2014 15
15
health
health and
and safety,
safety, and
and performance
performance which
which must
must be
be met
met prior
prior to
to participating
participating
in
in the
the bid
bid process.
process.
Benefits:
Benefits:
xx Quality
Quality of
of work;
work;
xx Improved
Improved safety;
safety; and
and
xx Minimized Risk
Minimized Risk
1-12:
1-12: Pre-Bid
Pre-Bid Conferences
Conferences
Practice
Practice Statement:
Statement: Depending
Depending on on the
the size
size and
and scope
scope of
of a
a project,
project, a
a pre-
pre-
bid
bid conference involving all stakeholders, should be held and bids should be
conference involving all stakeholders, should be held and bids should be
accepted
accepted from
from only
only those
those qualified
qualified contractors
contractors attending
attending the
the pre-bid
pre-bid
conference.
conference.
Practice
Description: The The project
project owner
owner should
should require
require that
that all
all potential
potential
qualified contractors attend a pre-bid conference involving
qualified contractors attend a pre-bid conference involving the facilitythe facility
owners/operators
owners/operators whose
whose facilities
facilities might
might be
be affected
affected byby the
the proposed
proposed
excavation
excavation and project design. The pre-bid conference should address,
and project design. The pre-bid conference should address, as
as a
a
minimum, the requirements of the project in relation to the
minimum, the requirements of the project in relation to the protection, protection,
support,
support, and
and safe
safe maintenance
maintenance of of the
the facilities
facilities during
during the
the excavation
excavation and
and
construction.
construction. Pre-bid conference proceedings should be recorded and
Pre-bid conference proceedings should be recorded and
minutes
minutes circulated
circulated to
to all
all those
those inin attendance.
attendance.
Examples
Examples of Practice: Pre-bid
of Practice: Pre-bid conferences
conferences normally
normally involve
involve the
the project
project
owner,
owner, the project design staff, the facility owner/operators, and the
the project design staff, the facility owner/operators, and the
potential
potential contractors.
contractors. During
During thethe pre-bid
pre-bid conference,
conference, the
the contractors
contractors are
are
made aware of the special requirements of the project with respect
made aware of the special requirements of the project with respect to to
certification,
certification, safety,
safety, and
and the
the regulatory
regulatory environment.
environment.
Benefits:
Benefits: Pre-bid
Pre-bid conferences
conferences afford
afford the
the opportunity
opportunity for
for discussion
discussion among
among
the
the owner, contractor, designer, and other interested parties of
owner, contractor, designer, and other interested parties of the
the many
many
aspects
aspects of
of a
a proposed
proposed project,
project, including:
including:
1.
1. Scope
Scope clarifications;
clarifications;
2.
2. The
The review of
review of contract
contract documents;
documents;
3.
3. Regulatory
Regulatory requirements;
requirements;
4.
4. Schedules;
Schedules; and
and
5.
5. Damage Prevention.
Damage Prevention.
Pre-bid
Pre-bid conferences
conferences ensure
ensure that
that all
all potential
potential participants
participants in
in the
the project
project
possess
possess the same understanding of the project requirements, and
the same understanding of the project requirements, and
complexities.
complexities.
Canadian
Common Ground Alliance
1.0 – October 2016
2014
16
1-13: Contact between the Designer/Engineer and
Potential Contractors during the Pre-Bid/Bid
Phase
Practice Statement: Once a project design is completed, the designer/
engineer should be available to answer questions and clarify aspects during
the pre-bid/bid process.
Practice Description: The designer’s continuing involvement with

potential contractors during the pre-bid/bid phase ensures more effective
communications between all the stakeholders. The designer will be available
to communicate to the interested bidders the scope and complexity of the
project and the proper understanding of the intended design.
Example of Practice: Contract documents should contain contact

information for purpose of design clarification.
Benefits: This practice provides quality assurance and minimizes potential

safety concerns and delays to project completion as well as the protection,
support, and safe maintenance of the facilities during the excavation and
construction. It also affords the designer the opportunity to relay information
to potential contractors that is not readily shown on the contract drawings.
CONSTRUCTION/POST-CONSTRUCTION
1-14: Contact between the Designer and the

Contractor during Construction
Practice Statement: The designer/engineer should be available during the
entire construction.
Practice Description: This practice ensures that design support is

available for pre-construction conferences, unforeseen conditions, site
meetings, design changes, and post-construction conferences.
Benefits: Potential concerns are resolved more expeditiously, thereby

minimizing subsequent modifications to the project design, costs, and
completion. The designer’s progress inspections of the project are also
facilitated.
Current Practice: When an undesignated or otherwise unknown

underground facility and/or condition is discovered within a work area, the
contractor advises the project owner and the designer. If the discovery is
made during the construction locates phase of the work, the designer can
assess whether or not there is an impact on the design. Such discoveries
can impact on the project by requiring additional work, increasing hazards
from the facility, or conflicting with the installation of the new facility.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 17
1-15: As-Built Drawings
PracticeAs-Built
1-15: Drawings
Statement: As-built drawings that depict the features and as-
constructed location of newly installed or modified underground utilities
Practice
should be Statement:
specified as aAs-built drawings that
contract/project depict the
deliverable and features
should be and as-
prepared
constructed location of newly installed
as soon as practicable after completion of construction. or modified underground utilities
should be specified as a contract/project deliverable and should be prepared
as soon as practicable after completion of construction.
Practice Description: Installation(s) should be made in accordance with
the approved construction plans and any deviation from those plans should
Practice
be recorded Description: Installation(s)
on as-built drawings. should be
The as-built made inshould
drawings accordance
be with
the approved construction plans and any deviation
completed as soon as practicable and retained by the owner of the utility. from those plans should
be
Therecorded
information on as-built
should be drawings. The as-built
made available drawings
for future should
projects andbeto aid in
completed
future locates as soon as practicable and retained by the owner of the utility.
and construction.
The information should be made available for future projects and to aid in
future locates and construction.
As-Built Drawings generally include:
x Utility owner company name;
As-Built x Drawings
Utility type generally
or function;include:
xx Utility
A location description ofname;
owner company the project referenced to the title
x Utility
descriptiontype oror function;
geographic location; Any deviations in construction
x A
fromlocation description
the approved of the
design project
with referenced
a reference to theto construction
the title
description
drawing; or geographic location; Any deviations in construction
x from the approved design with a reference
The horizontal and vertical locations of the centerline of the to the construction
drawing;
underground utility;
xx The
The horizontal and vertical
level of accuracy of thelocations
horizontal of and
the vertical
centerline of the of the
locations
underground
underground utility; utility;
xx The level of accuracy
The methodology usedoftothe horizontal
measure the and vertical
accuracy of locations of the
the horizontal
underground utility;
and vertical locations, e.g. geodetic survey, or relationship to
x The methodology used features
topographical/physical to measure thetime
at the accuracy of the horizontal
of construction;
x and
Extent of the object (width, height, length and diameter as to
vertical locations, e.g. geodetic survey, or relationship
topographical/physical
applicable); features at the time of construction;
xx Extent
Notation of of
thetheobject (width,
material height,
of the length
outside and diameter as
structure;
x applicable);
A reference to the source of the as-built measurements by
x Notation
company of the material
name, file number of theand outside
date ofstructure;
the measurements;
xx A
A north arrow, scale bar and scale ratio; measurements by
reference to the source of the as-built
x company
Legend depictingname, file all number
items onand thedate of the measurements;
drawing
xx A north arrow, scale bar and scale ratio;
The method of construction, e.g. directional drilling.
x Legend depicting all items on the drawing
x The method of construction, e.g. directional drilling.
Current Practice: During and after completion of construction and prior to
final acceptance of the installation by the Owner, all “as-built”
Current
measurements Practice: should During
be madeand after completion
and recorded on of construction
as-built and prior to
drawing(s).
final acceptance of the installation by the Owner,
Typically these measurements note any deviation in horizontal and/or all “as-built”
measurements
vertical alignment should
frombe made
the and recorded
established baseline,on the
as-built drawing(s).
location of valves,
Typically these measurements note any
access chambers, manholes, service boxes and stub connections deviation in horizontal and/or
for
vertical alignment from the established baseline,
services. In addition they should note final invert elevations, pipe the location of valves,
size,
access
grade changes, chambers, anymanholes,
applicableservice boxes
structural and stub
details connections for
of manholes/chambers and
services.
any other In addition they
information should note
as deemed final invert
necessary elevations,
that may pipe size,
affect future
grade
maintenance changes, of any applicable
the utility. structuralshould
All drawings detailsnote
of manholes/chambers
these changes “As and
any other information as deemed necessary
Recorded” with date on the drawings in a prominent location. that may affect future
This updated
maintenance of the utility. All drawings
information should be circulated among the pertinent parties should note these changes “Asin the
involved
Recorded”
project as soon with date on the drawings
as practicable, in a prominent
(i.e. municipalities, location.
utilities, Thisworks
public updated
information
authorities, Utility shouldCoordination
be circulatedCommittees)
among the pertinent
and thoseparties
partiesinvolved
should in the
project as soon as practicable, (i.e. municipalities,
update their records accordingly. In this way, utility records can be utilities, public works
authorities,
maintained as Utility Coordination
current as possible. Committees) and those parties should
update their records accordingly. In this way, utility records can be
maintained as current as possible.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
18 Canadian Common Ground Alliance
Benefits: Accurate as-built drawings serve as an integral initial information
Benefits: Accurate
source for future as-builtand
projects, drawings serve
minimize theas anofintegral
risk damage initial information
to existing
Benefits:
source for Accurate
future as-built
projects,
underground facilities. drawings
and serve
minimize the as an
risk integral
of damage initial
to information
existing
source for future
underground projects, and minimize the risk of damage to existing
facilities.
1-16: Sewer/Water Main Service Connections
1-16: Sewer/Water Main Service Connections
1-16:
PracticeSewer/Water
Statement: SewerMain
lateralsService
and waterConnections
main service connections
Practice Statement: Sewer laterals and water main service connections
should be installed and locatable from the main to 1.5m beyond the
Practice
should be Statement:
installed and Sewer laterals
locatable fromand
the water main
main to 1.5m service
beyond connections
the
property line in new subdivisions.
should
propertybeline
installed
in newand locatable from the main to 1.5m beyond the
subdivisions.
Practiceline
property Description: For the purpose of health & safety, damage
in new subdivisions.
Practice
preventionDescription:
and constructionFor the purposesewer
efficiency, of health & safety,
laterals damage
and water service
Practice
prevention
connectionsDescription:
and For the
construction
installed in new purposesewer
efficiency,
subdivisions of health
be&extended
laterals
should safety, damage
and waterfromservice
the main
prevention
connections and construction
installed in new efficiency,
subdivisionssewer laterals
should be and
extendedwater
to 1.5m beyond the property line and plugged with a water tight plug. fromservice
the This
main
connections
to 1.5m installed
beyond the in new
property subdivisions
line and should
plugged be
with extended
a water from
tight
allows workers installing the connections from the stubs to the homes to the
plug. main
This
to 1.5mworkers
allows
establishbeyond the property
a safeinstalling
stable line and plugged
the environment
work connections from withstubs
the a water
and minimizes tight
to the
impact toplug.
homes This
the to
allows workers
establish a safe installing
stable the
work
existing facility infrastructure. connections
environment from
and the stubs
minimizes to the
impact homes
to the to
establish a safeinfrastructure.
existing facility stable work environment and minimizes impact to the
existing facility infrastructure.
1-17: Sewer Main and Lateral Infrastructure
1-17: Sewer Main and Lateral Infrastructure
PracticeSewer
1-17: Main
Statement: andand
Project Lateral Infrastructure
facility owners should use all reasonable
Practice
and available Statement:
means to Project and facility
share sewer main andowners should
lateral use all reasonable
information including,
Practice
and Statement:
available means
but no limited to, location. to Project
share and
sewer facility
main owners
and should
lateral use
informationall reasonable
including,
and
but noavailable
limited means to share sewer main and lateral information including,
to, location.
but not and
Project limited to, location.
facility owners should assess the potential risk and create an
Project and facility
appropriate mitigation owners
planshould assess to
with regards theutilities
potential risk and
installed by create
trenchlessan
Project
methods and
appropriate thatfacility
mitigation
may haveowners
plan should assess
with regards
inadvertently theutilities
to
intersectedpotential risk
installed
sewer and
by create
trenchless
infrastructure. an
appropriate
methods thatmitigation
may haveplan with regards
inadvertently to utilitiessewer
intersected installed by trenchless
infrastructure.
methods that may have inadvertently intersected
Practice Description: In the planning phase of a project, the designer sewer infrastructure.
Practice
should requestDescription:
all sewer In mainthe and
planning
lateralphase of a project,
information the Foundation
including designer
Practice
should Description:
request
Drain Collectors all sewer In
(FDC’s) mainthe and
planning
pertaining to thephase
lateral of area
a project,
information
project from the
including designer
the Foundation
sewer
should
Drain request owners
Collectors
infrastructure all sewer
(FDC’s) mainsewer
. pertaining
The and lateral
to information
the project
infrastructure area
ownersincluding
from the Foundation
should sewer
provide the
Drain Collectors
infrastructure (FDC’s)
owners . pertaining
The sewer
sewer main and lateral information if available. to the project
infrastructure area
owners from the
should sewer
provide the
infrastructure
sewer main andowners lateral.information
The sewer ifinfrastructure
available. owners should provide the
sewer main and
If the project lateral
owner information
completes if available.
private sewer locates, the project owner
If
should forward all documentation to thesewer
the project owner completes private sewerlocates, the project
infrastructure ownerThe
owners.
If the
should project
forward owner
all completes
documentation private
to thesewer
sewer locates,
sewer infrastructure owners should retain this information and make the
infrastructure project owner
owners. it The
should
sewer forward
infrastructure
available all documentation
upon request. owners shouldtoretain the sewer infrastructure
this information andowners.
make it The
sewer infrastructure
available upon request. owners should retain this information and make it
available upon request.
Benefits: Sharing information will allow both parties to effectively
Benefits: Sharing
communicate sewerinformation
main, lateral willand
allowFDCboth partiessotounderground
locations effectively
Benefits:
communicate
infrastructure Sharing
sewer
can be information
main,
installed willand
lateral allow
without FDCboth parties
locations
damaging sotounderground
sewer effectively
laterals. This
communicate
infrastructure sewer
can bemain,
initiative also provides installed lateral
the sewer and FDC
without locations
damaging
infrastructure so underground
sewer
owners laterals.
with This
updated
infrastructure
initiative also can be
provides installed
the sewerwithout damaging
infrastructure
information of sewer line locations. This practice should reduce the sewer
owners laterals.
with This
updated
initiative
likelihoodalso
information of ofprovides
sewer line
damaging the
sewer sewer
locations.infrastructure
mains This
or practice
laterals owners
whenshould with updated
reduce
installing the
underground
information
likelihood of
infrastructure. of sewer
damaging line
sewerlocations.
mains This
or practice
laterals whenshould reduce
installing the
underground
likelihood of damaging sewer mains or laterals when installing underground
infrastructure.
infrastructure.
It has been found that sewer mains and laterals can be damaged during the
It has been process
installation found that sewer mains infrastructure.
of underground and laterals canDamage
be damaged during the
can remain
installation
It has been process
found of
that underground
sewer mains infrastructure.
and laterals canDamage
be can
damaged remain
undetected until a sewer cleaning process is initiated. The cleaning processduring the can
undetected
installation untiltoa an
process
potentially lead sewer cleaning
of incident
underground process is penetrated
initiated.
infrastructure.
if a utility had The
thecleaning
Damage process
can remain
sewer main or can
undetected
potentially until
lead toa sewer
an
lateral during installation cleaning
incident if a process
utility is
had initiated.
penetrated The
the sewer
cleaningmain or can
process
lateral during
potentially to an incident if a utility had penetrated the sewer main or
leadinstallation
lateral during installation

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
Version 1.0 Alliance
– October 2014 19
19
1-18: Demolition Permit Application Process
Practice statement: The Municipality shall have a process requesting that
the demolition permit applicant receives confirmation of all utility
disconnects prior to issuing the demolition permit.
Practice Description: The Municipality shall request that the applicant

makes arrangements with the appropriate utilities for the termination and
capping of all the water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone, cable or other
facilities/services. Furthermore, the Municipality should indicate on the
demolition permit that locates should be obtained from utilities prior to the
demolition beginning.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
2-0 One-Call Centre Best Practices
2 One-Call Centre
2-0 One-Call Centre Best Practices
2-1: Pro-active Public Awareness, Education and
Damage Prevention Activities
Practice Statement: The one-call centre has a documented, pro-active
public awareness, education, and damage prevention program.
Practice Description: The one-call centre promotes the need to “Click “Call or
Call Before
Before You You
Dig,”Dig,”
to enhance
to enhance
awareness
awareness
of responsibilities
of responsibilities
to safeguard
to safeguard
workers and the public and protect the integrity of the buried infrastructure,
to foster a cooperative approach between the owners of buried facilities and
the digging community toward the prevention of damage to buried facilities
and to promote the service it provides.
Typical one-call centre activities include: promotional items; media

advertising; participation at safety meetings; seminars and trade shows;
contractor awareness programs; distribution of education material
describing how the one-call system works; maintaining a database of active
members of the local digging community; mediating and rationalizing the
expectations of both the facility owners/operators and the digging
community; and participation in local damage prevention or facility location
and coordination committees.
2-2: Specifically Defined Geopolitical Service Area

with No Overlap
Practice Statement: A one-call centre serves each province so that an
excavator need only make one call for its members and a facility
owner/operator need only belong to a single one-call centre.
Practice Description: One-call centre programs are designed to promote

ease of use for members (facility owners/operators) and for excavators. This
ease of use is enhanced when a one-call centre serves a specifically defined
geopolitical area that does not coincide with the service area of another
one-call centre.
There are two requirements a one-call centre program meets in order to be

considered as having implemented this best practice:
x The program permits an excavator to use a single point of contact to
submit and follow up on a notice of intent to excavate and notify affected
facility owners/ operators.
x The program permits a facility owner/operator to join a single one-call
centre and receive all appropriate notices.
2-3: Formal Agreements with Members

Practice Statement: Each member of the one-call centre abides by a
written agreement that states the rights and the responsibilities of the one-
call centre members and the one-call centre.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 21
Practice Description: The terms and conditions of service provided by the
one-call centre and the obligations of the member are established in a
legally binding standard form Service Agreement document which is signed
by both parties. The purpose of the document is to simply state the legal
obligations and terms of service for both parties in a standard form contract
that all members must sign. This standard form agreement should not be
restrictive and there should be no unreasonable barriers to facility owners/
operators signing this agreement.
2-4: One-Call Centre Governance

Practice Statement: The one-call centre is governed by a Board of
Directors with input from stakeholders.
Practice Description: To ensure that a one-call centre functions to the

best benefit of the entire community, it is governed by a Board of Directors
with input from representatives of the stakeholders. Stakeholders are from a
variety of industry types, such as facility owners/operators, contractors,
designers, project owners and government representatives. Each
stakeholder representative is knowledgeable in their own industry and of
how it interacts with the one-call centre and all of the represented
stakeholders.
2-5: Single Toll Free Number with North-American

Access
Practice Statement: The one-call centre has a single toll free number with
North-American access.
Practice Description: There will be only one toll free telephone number
and one toll free fax number for the one-call centre to receive locate
requests. These numbers have toll free North American access, meaning
that a caller can telephone or fax the centre free of charge from anywhere
in North America. The one-call centre will also maintain an e-mail address as
an alternate means to receive locate requests.
2-6: Hours of Operation

Practice Statement: The one-call centre can process locate requests 24
hours a day, 7 days per week.
Practice Description: The one-call centre has in place a process where a

caller, at any time of the day or night, every day of the year, who has a locate
request can contact the one-call centre and have that request processed.
2-7: Voice Record of All Incoming Calls

Practice Statement: A voice recording is maintained of all voice
transactions concerning requests to locate facilities.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Practice Description: Voice recording of the telephone communications
for locate requests are made to ensure a precise record of the activity is
retained. These records can be legally supported in court as well as used for
damage investigations.
2-8: Retention of Voice Records

and Electronic Records
According to
According to
Applicable Applicable Statutes
Statutes
Practice Statement: Voice records of all calls concerning requests to
locate facilities are kept in retention for seven years or according to
applicable statutes. Records include but are not limited to, all original
requests and changes made by voice, web, app or email.
Practice Description: Voice recordings are a factual record of the events
Practice
that Description:
occurred between theAll caller
records andshall
the be
one-call
maintained
centre.and
These
accessible
factual until
expiry per
records mustthebe applicable statute
maintained of limitations
and accessible untilinexpiry
the jurisdiction in question.
per the applicable
Since these
statute laws mayinchange,
of limitations no specific
the jurisdiction time period
in question. is set
Since forth
these as may
laws a best
change,
practice.noIn specific time period
the absence of noticeis set forth as
by some a best
party practice.
to the In the
contrary, absence
after the
of notice byofsome
expiration party to
the statute ofthe contrary,the
limitations after the expiration
records of the statute
may be destroyed. The of
limitations the records
one-call centre maya be
shall have destroyed.
procedure for The one-callrequests
processing centre hasforavoice and
procedure for processing requests for voice information.
electronic records.
2-9: Caller Feedback

Requester Feedback
Practice Statement: The one-call centre provides the requestor
caller withwith
the ticket
the
number and the
ticket number andnames of facility
the names owners/operators
of facility who will
owners/operators whobewill
notified
be for
each locate
notified request.
for each locate request.
Practice Description: Providing the locate request number and the names
of the facility owners/operators who will be notified enhances the efficiency
of the one-call centre process. When provided the names of the facility
owners/operators, the excavator knows which owners/operators will be
notified in the area of the planned excavation. This helps the excavator
determine if the facility owners/operators have responded to the locate
request.
2-10: Printed Ticket Recall

Practice Statement: The one-call centre can provide a printed copy of any
ticket for a period of time determined by applicable statutes.
Description: In In the
the event
eventofofaadamage
damageinvestigation,
investigation,litigation,
litigation,oror
other event,
event, itit is
is often
often necessary
necessary to to have
haveaahard
hardcopy
copyprintout
printoutofofaalocation
location
request ticket.
ticket. TheThe one-call
one-call centre
centrehas
hasthe
theability
abilitytotoproduce,
produce,asasnecessary,
necessary,a a
copy of a location
location request
request ticket
ticket for
forthe
theappropriate
appropriatestatutory
statutoryperiod.
period.
2-11: Documented Operating Procedures, Policies,

and Manuals
Practice Statement: The one-call centre has documented operating
procedures, human resource policies including health and safety and
training manuals.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 23
Practice Description: The one-call centre has documented operating
procedures, human resource policies including health and safety, and
training manuals. Training manuals, practices, procedures, and policies are
on the premises in a designated area or place, dated, and available for
reference.
2-12: Documented Owner Verification of Data

Submitted by Facility
Owners/Operators
Practice Statement: The one-call centre returns the geographic
description data base documentation to the facility owner/operator annually
and after each change for verification and approval.
Practice Description: The one-call centre can only work with the
information related to the existence of buried facilities that its members
provide. It is important that the one-call centre be able to produce evidence
that a member’s data is accurate, according to that member. Regular
verification of data is a part of the documented agreement or operating
procedures between the owner or operator of buried facilities and the one-
call centre. Any deletions or additions made by the member are entered into
the database and documentation of the change sent back to the member for
verification, prior to activation.
2-13: Flexibility for Growth and Change

Practice Statement: The operating plan of the one-call centre is
sufficiently flexible to accommodate growth and change.
Practice Description: A successful one-call centre maintains flexibility to

respond to changes by forming and maintaining a responsive governing
organization whose Board of Directors’ and stakeholder representative
composition allows adequate representation of the needs of all stakeholders.
A Board’s ability to respond to change will be enhanced by drafting bylaws

and operating procedures that reflect the current environment in which the
one-call centre serves. The most successful Boards review these documents
on an ongoing basis to make sure they continue to reflect or respond to
current conditions. These Boards conduct regular strategic planning sessions
during which they review the current state of the Centre’s major systems,
programs and outreach activities. Such assessments help them identify
stakeholder needs for future growth and development.
Many members of Boards, stakeholder group representatives and centre
management teams keep themselves informed about and involved in the
one-call industry by joining associations and attending conferences or other
educational events that help them to better identify new opportunities for
growth and change.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
2-14: Meeting Between the Excavator and Facility
Operator(s) Initiated by One-Call Centre
Notification
Practice Statement: The one-call centre has a process for receiving and
transmitting requests for meetings between the excavator and the facility
operator(s) for the purpose of discussing locating facilities on large or
complex jobs.
Practice Description: The one-call centre relays requests for job site
facility meetings for excavators who request them with facility
owners/operators. If a meeting is required to show the limits and schedule
of the work, the one-call centre indicates that a meeting is requested. The
one-call centre requires that the excavator provide sufficient information to
fully identify the boundaries of the proposed work site. A meeting request
does not necessarily eliminate the need for a locate request.
2-15: One-Call Centre Accepts Notifications from

Designers
Practice Statement: The one-call centre accepts design requests and has
the ability to process them as designated by the facility owners/operators.
Practice Description: To facilitate damage prevention, project designers

have a need for access to facility location information from facility owners/
operators. If a design request is received, the one-call centre provides a
listing of facility owners/operators directly to the designer. Once the list is
identified, the one-call centre processes the request as designated by each
facility owner/operator.
2-16: Locate Request

Practice Statement: The one-call centre captures the following information,
at a minimum, on a locate request: the caller’s name and phone number; the
excavator’s/company’s name, address and phone numbers; the specific
location of the excavation; the start date and time of the excavation; and the
description of the excavation activity.
Practice Description: A locate request is a communication between an

excavator and one-call centre personnel in which a request for locating
underground facilities is processed. In addition to the minimum information
required in the practice statement (above), the locate request should include
any information, if available, that will help to establish the specific location of
the excavation site. This additional information could include, for example:
A. More detailed information to help determine the specific location of the
excavation. Such information may include:
1. Municipality/Community
2. County/Region/District/Township
3. Province

1.0 – October 2016
2014 25
4. Street address
5. Street name
6. Length and direction of the excavation and the nearest adjacent

cross streets (needed to bound area of excavation or extended
excavation)
7. Subdivision and lot number (for new development)
8. Latitude/Longitude: Latitude-longitude co-ordinate(s) or specific
address of the dig site may be done automatically by the GIS
subsystem or determined by computer assisted customer service
representative. The dig site can be a point, an area or box, or a
polygon. For a spatial rectangle (maximum/minimum latitude/
longitude), the dig site must be wholly within the included area.
9. Highway markers
10. Railroad or pipeline markers
11. General directions/instructions
12. Postal code
13. Distance to nearest cross-street
14. Telephone number at dig site
15. 911 address
16. Lot and concession
17. Map reference
18. Pole numbers
19. Any other pertinent references to help establish the location of the dig
site
B. The intended start date and time of the excavation
C. Excavating by hand or machine
D. Type of the excavation activity (e.g. boring, blasting, trenching, etc.)
E. Whom the excavation work is being done for
F. What is the purpose of the work (i.e., what will be installed and/or
built)
G. Excavation on public property
H. Excavation on private property and if so, where (front, side, rear)
I. Is the dig site pre-marked by the excavator
J. The depth of the excavation
K. Is a site meet requested
L. Does the excavator want an “outline mark and fax”
M. The status of the involved members for that request (notice, clear,
suppress, cleared by look-up)
N. Additional remarks

1.0 – October 2016
2014
2-17: Practices to Reduce Over-Notifications
2-17: Practices to Reduce Over-Notifications
Practice statement: The one-call centre employs practices designed
Practice statement: The one-call centre employs practices designed
specifically to reduce the number of notices transmitted to facility owners/
specifically
operators, in towhich
reducethe thereported
numberexcavation
of notices transmitted
site is outside to the
facility owners/
owner’s/
operators, in which the reported excavation
operator’s desired area of notification. site is outside the owner’s/
operator’s desired area of notification.
Practice Description: The one-call centre employs technology that allows
Practice
the facilityDescription:
owner/operator Thetoone-call centre
determine employsarea
its desired technology that allows
of notification by
the facility owner/operator to determine its desired
polygons. To reduce over-notifications, the technology should:area of notification by
polygons. To reduce over-notifications, the technology should:
x where due diligence and mapping accuracy permits, enable the call
x where
centre due diligence
to define and mapping
the proposed accuracy
excavation sitepermits, enable
buffer to withinthe call
centre to define800
approximately thefeet
proposed excavation
(250 metres); andsite buffer to within
approximately 800 feet (250 metres); and
x provide the facility owner/operator the ability to identify its desired area
x provide the facility
of notification, owner/operator
including the member thespecified
ability tobuffer
identify its desired
zone, to withinarea
of notification, 30
approximately including
metres.the member specified buffer zone, to within
approximately 30 metres.
2-18: Disaster Recovery
2-18: Disaster Recovery
Practice statement: The one-call centre develops, implements, and
Practice statement: The one-call centre develops, implements, and
maintains an effective disaster recovery plan enabling the one-call function
maintains
to continueanineffective
the event disaster recovery plan enabling the one-call function
of a disaster.
to continue in the event of a disaster.
Practice Description: The one-call centre develops and implements an
Practice Description: The one-call centre develops and implements an
effective disaster recovery plan enabling it to continue operations in the
effective
aftermathdisaster recovery
of a disaster plan enabling
affecting it toincluding
the facility, continuecommunication
operations in the with
aftermath of a disaster
the local emergency affecting
services the facility,
to provide safe including
access tocommunication
the centre. with
the local emergency services to provide safe access to the centre.
Excavators and underground facility owners/operators outside of the area
Excavators
affected by and underground
the disaster facility owners/operators
can continue to conduct business outside
with of the areato
minimum
affected
no delays in the services provided by the one-call centre. The disaster to
by the disaster can continue to conduct business with minimum
no delays in the services provided by the one-call centre. The disaster
recovery plan makes provisions for the one-call centre to process emergency
recovery plan makes
locate requests provisions
for the for thebyone-call
areas affected centre to process emergency
the disaster.
locate requests for the areas affected by the disaster.
The one-call centre (the primary centre) has a backup arrangement with
The one-call centre (the primary centre) has a backup arrangement with
another facility at a remote location (the secondary centre). This
another facility
arrangement at a remote location (the secondary centre). This
includes:
arrangement includes:
x Telecommunications - alternate routing schedules are in place, ready to
x Telecommunications - alternate
be activated within minutes of therouting
primaryschedules
centres’are in place, ready to
failure.
be activated within minutes of the primary centres’ failure.
x Software and Hardware - the secondary centre has compatible hardware
x Software and Hardware
with the primary centre. -Thethe secondary
secondary centre
centre always
has compatible
has a copy hardware
of the
with the primary
primary’s current centre.
software.The secondary centre always has a copy of the
primary’s current software.
x Database - the secondary centre receives the primary centre’s database
x Database - the secondary
including locate requests on centre receives
a regular thepreferably
basis, primary centre’s
real-time. database
including locate requests on a regular basis, preferably real-time.
x Staffing - a portion of the secondary centre’s staff is cross-trained for the
x Staffing - a portion
primary centre’s of the secondary
operation centre’s staff is cross-trained for the
at all times.
primary centre’s operation at all times.
x Simulated Emergency Testing - At least once a year, on a random basis,
x Simulated
the disasterEmergency Testing
recovery plan - At least once
is implemented a year,
to verify on ita is
that random basis,
operational.
the disaster recovery plan is implemented to verify that it is operational.

Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
Version 2.0
1.0 Alliance
– October 2016
2014
27
2-19: Remote User Interface
2-19: Remote User Interface
PracticeRemote
2-19: User
statement: Interface
The one-call centre provides users a means of direct,
Practice
electronic statement:
entry of locate The one-callofcentre
requests provides
comparable users
ticket a means
quality of direct,
to that where
Practice statement: The one-call centre provides users a means of direct,
electronic
an entry
operator of locate
assists requests
information of comparable ticket quality to that where
entry.
electronic entry of locate requests of comparable ticket quality to that where
an operator assists information entry.
Practice
an Description:
operator The one-call
assists information entry.centre has interactive data
communications The
sufficient to one-call centre data
permit remote has interactive data
entry for qualified
Practice Description: The one-call centre has interactive data
communications
members sufficient The
and excavators. to permit
remoteremote datavalidates
interface entry forthequalified
input
communications sufficient to permit remote data entry for qualified
members and
information andexcavators.
allows theTheuserremote interface
to make validates
corrections the inputThis
if necessary.
members and excavators. The remote interface validates the input
informationisand
correction allows the by
accomplished user to make corrections
referencing if necessary.
the same geographic This
database
information and allows the user to make corrections if necessary. This
correction is accomplished by referencing the same geographic
used at the one-call centre when taking a voiced-in request. This process database
correction is accomplished by referencing the same geographic database
used at the
ensures thatone-call centre
the ticket when
quality taking a voiced-in
is maintained request. This process
for all tickets.
used at the one-call centre when taking a voiced-in request. This process
ensures that the ticket quality is maintained for all tickets.
ensures
2-20: thatAcceptthe ticket quality isReference
Multiple maintained forPoints
all tickets.
for Locate
2-20: Accept Multiple Reference Points for Locate
Requests
2-20: Accept Multiple Reference Points for Locate
Requests
PracticeRequests
statement: The one-call centre is able to accept multiple types of
Practice statement:
points of reference The one-call
to define centre
the exact is able
location of to
an accept
excavationmultiple
site types
(i.e. of
Practice statement: The one-call centre is able to accept multiple types of
points of reference highway/railroad/pipeline
latitude/longitude, to define the exact location of an excavation
markers, site (i.e.
address, street and
points of reference to define the exact location of an excavation site (i.e.
latitude/longitude,
cross street, etc.). legal land descriptions, highway/railroad/pipeline markers,
latitude/longitude, highway/railroad/pipeline markers, address, street and
address, street and cross street, etc.).
Practice
cross Description:
street, etc.). The one-call centre’s locate request taking processes
Practice Description: The
and computer system are designed one-calltocentre’s
accept andlocate request
process taking types
multiple processes
of
Practice Description: The one-call centre’s locate request taking processes
and computer
reference pointssystem
used byarecallers
designed to accept
to (1) describe andtheprocess
locationmultiple
of theirtypes
work ofand
and computer system are designed to accept and process multiple types of
reference
(2) define points used by callers
the excavation to (1) describe
site. Examples the location
of different types ofofreference
their work and
points
reference points used by callers to (1) describe the location of their work and
(2) define
include: the excavation
highway markers,site. Examples
railroad of different
or pipeline markers,types of address
valid reference orpoints
(2) define the excavation site. Examples of different types of reference points
include: highway
street-cross markers,
street, railroad or pipeline
latitude/longitude, markers,
municipality, valid address
community, or
county,
include: highway markers, railroad or pipeline markers, valid address or
street-cross
region, street,
township latitude/longitude,
and mail address (postal municipality, community,
code) boundaries, etc.county,
street-cross street, latitude/longitude, municipality, community, county,
region, township and mail address (postal code) boundaries, etc.
All stakeholders
region, township involved
and mailin the one-call
address (postalprocess receive a corresponding
code) boundaries, etc.
All stakeholders involved in the one-call process receive
benefit when the call centre is able to define the excavation site as a corresponding
All stakeholders involved in the one-call process receive a corresponding
benefit when
specifically as the call centre
possible. is able operator’s
The facility to define the job excavation
of determining site as
the
benefit when the call centre is able to define the excavation site as
specificallyofasa possible.
existence potential The facility
conflict operator’sfield
is expedited, job of determining
personnel the and
can find
specifically as possible. The facility operator’s job of determining the
existence
mark of a potential
the affected conflict
area much is expedited,
easier, and the field personnel
excavator can timely
receives find and
existence of a potential conflict is expedited, field personnel can find and
mark the affected area much easier, and the excavator receives
markings covering the area of excavation. Standardizing on a limited set of timely
mark the affected area much easier, and the excavator receives timely
markings
criteria covering
reduces thethe area ofofexcavation.
flexibility the systemStandardizing on a limited
to serve the excavator andset of
markings covering the area of excavation. Standardizing on a limited set of
criteria reduces the flexibility
facility owner/operator. of the system
The one-call centre to serveinthe
invests excavator
systems and and
criteria reduces the flexibility of the system to serve the excavator and
facility
processesowner/operator. The one-call
that permit inclusion centre of
of a variety invests
typesinofsystems
reference andpoints in
facility owner/operator. The one-call centre invests in systems and
processes
defining the excavation site. The one-call centre takes steps to link thesein
that permit inclusion of a variety of types of reference points
processes that permit inclusion of a variety of types of reference points in
defining
referencethe excavation
points site. The used
to the database one-call centre takes
to register steps operator’s
the facility to link these
defining the excavation site. The one-call centre takes steps to link these
reference
desired areapoints to the database
of notification, therebyused to register
assisting the facility
in reducing operator’s
over-notification.
reference points to the database used to register the facility operator’s
desired area of notification, thereby assisting in reducing over-notification.
desired
2-21: area of notification,
One-Call Centre thereby assisting in reducing over-notification.
Security
2-21: One-Call Centre Security
PracticeOne-Call
2-21: Statement:Centre Security
The one-call centre provides appropriate physical and
Practice Statement:
systems security, The one-call
fire protection andcentre provides
electrical appropriate
protection physical
to protect and
the one-
Practice Statement: The one-call centre provides appropriate physical and
systems security,
call centre and its fire protection
critical and electrical protection to protect the one-
components.
systems security, fire protection and electrical protection to protect the one-
call centre and its critical components.
call centre and its critical components.

28 Canadian
Ground 2016
Alliance
2014
28 Best Practices Version 1.0 – October 2014
Practice Description: The The one-call
one-call centre
centre needs
needs protection
protection from
from natural
natural
Practice
Description: The
The one-call
one-call centre
centre needs
needs protection
protection from
from natural
natural
disasters
disasters and
and other
other threats.
threats. Since
Since the
the one-call
one-call centre
centre is
is a
a critical
critical link
link in
in the
the
disasters
disasters and
and other
other threats.
threats. Since
Since the
the one-call
one-call centre
centre is
is a
a critical
critical link
link in
in the
the
communication
communication chain
chain between
between the
the excavating
excavating community
community and
and facilities,
facilities, it
it is
is
communication
communication chain
chain between
between the
the excavating
excavating community
community and
and facilities,
facilities, it
it is
is
important
important that
that the
the one-call
one-call centre
centre does
does whatever
whatever it
it can
can to
to provide
provide adequate
adequate
important
important that
that the
the one-call
one-call centre
centre does
does whatever
whatever it
it can
can to
to provide
provide adequate
adequate
security,
security, taking
taking into
into account
account that
that it
it may
may well
well need
need to
to be
be operational
operational in
in times
times
security,
security, taking
taking into
into account
account that
that it
it may
may well
well need
need to
to be
be operational
operational in
in times
times
of
of natural
natural disasters
disasters or
or in
in the
the face
face of
of other
other threats.
threats. Security
Security components
components
of
of natural
natural disasters or in the face of other threats. Security
disasters or in the face of other threats. Security components components
could
could include:
include:
could
could include: include:
xx Physical
Physical security
security for
for the
the building
building and
and its
its employees
employees through
through locked
locked
xx Physical
operations
Physical security
areas,
security for
for the
lighting,
the building
employee
building and
and its
key
its employees
cards,
employees through
guard locked
patrols.
through locked
operations
operations areas,
areas, lighting,
lighting, employee
employee key
key cards,
cards, guard
guard patrols.
patrols.
operations areas, lighting, employee key cards, guard patrols.
xx Physical
Physical security
security for
for critical
critical systems
systems components.
components. This
This may
may include
include
xx Physical
locating
Physical security
the
security for
facilities
for critical
in locked
critical systems components.
enclosures
systems and
components. This may
restricting
This may include
access to
include
locating
locating the
the facilities
facilities in
in locked
locked enclosures
enclosures and
and restricting
restricting access
access to
to
necessary
locating
necessary thepersonnel.
facilities
personnel. in locked enclosures and restricting access to
necessary personnel.
necessary personnel.
xx General
General fire
fire protection
protection for for the
the one-call
one-call centre
centre personnel
personnel and and property.
property.
xx General
General fire
fire protection
protection for for the
the one-call
one-call centre
centre personnel
personnel and and property.
property.
xx Specialized
Specialized fire
fire protection
protection for
for critical
critical systems
systems components.
components.
xx Specialized
Specialized fire
fire protection
protection for for critical
critical systems
systems components.
components.
xx Specialized
Specialized theft
theft protection
protection for
for critical
critical systems
systems components.
components.
xx Specialized
Specialized theft protection for critical systems components.
theft protection for critical systems components.
xx Telephone
Telephone demarcation
demarcation points
points in
in a
a protected
protected area
area within
within the
the One-Call
One-Call
xx Telephone
Centre.
Telephone demarcation
demarcation points
points in
in a
a protected
protected area
area within
within the
the One-Call
One-Call
Centre.
Centre.
Centre.
xx Passwords
Passwords and
and protections
protections to
to limit
limit access
access to
to computers
computers and
and other
other
xx Passwords
systems.
Passwords and
and protections
protections to
to limit
limit access
access to
to computers
computers and
and other
other
systems.
systems.
systems.
xx Offsite storage
Offsite storage of of duplicate
duplicate data data base
base and
and necessary
necessary system
system software.
software.
xx Offsite
Offsite storage
storage of of duplicate
duplicate data data base
base and
and necessary
necessary system
system software.
software.
2-22:
2-22: Hardware
Hardware Designed
Designed to
to Tolerate
Tolerate a
a Single
Single Point
Point of
of
2-22:
2-22: Hardware
Hardware Designed
Designed to
to Tolerate
Tolerate a
a Single
Single Point
Point of
of
Failure
Failure
Failure
Failure
Practice
Practice Statement:
Statement: The
The one-call
one-call centre
centre uses
uses fault
fault tolerant
tolerant hardware
hardware for
for
Practice
Practice Statement:
Statement: The
The one-call
one-call centre
centre uses
uses fault
fault tolerant
tolerant hardware
hardware for
for
its critical
its critical path
path operations,
operations, such
such as
as ticket
ticket taking,
taking, database
database access,
access, and
and ticket
ticket
its
its critical path operations, such as ticket taking, database access,
critical path operations, such as ticket taking, database access, and ticket and ticket
delivery.
delivery.
delivery.
delivery.
Practice Description: A A fault
fault tolerant
tolerant system
system cancan withstand
withstand any
any single
single
Practice
Description: A
A fault
fault tolerant
tolerant system
system can
can withstand
withstand any
any single
single
hardware
hardware malfunction
malfunction without
without any
any interruption
interruption or
or degradation
degradation of
of service.
service.
hardware
hardware malfunction
malfunction without
without any
any interruption
interruption or
or degradation
degradation of
of service.
service.
These
These systems
systems have
have the
the ability
ability to
to identify the
identify the malfunctioning
malfunctioning hardware
hardware
These
These systems
systems have
have the ability
theits
ability to
to identify
identify the malfunctioning
theremaining
malfunctioning hardware
hardware
component
component and
and permit
permit its replacement
replacement while
while remaining online
online and
and
component
component and
and permit
permit its
its replacement
replacement while
while remaining
remaining online and
processing its
processing its normal
normal applications.
applications. These
These fault
fault tolerant systemsand
online
tolerant systems maximize
maximize
processing
processing its
its normal
normal applications.
applications. These
These fault
fault tolerant
tolerant systems
systems maximize
maximize
the
the probability
probability that
that the
the call
call centre
centre will
will be
be able
able to
to properly
properly process
process an
an
the
the probability
probability that
that the
the call
call centre
centre will
will be
be able
able to
to properly
properly process
process an
an
excavation
excavation request
request in
in the
the event
event of
of a
a failure
failure or
or malfunction.
malfunction.
excavation request in the event of a failure or malfunction.
excavation request in the event of a failure or malfunction.
2-23:
2-23: One-Call
One-Call Quality
Quality Standards
Standards
2-23:
2-23: One-Call
One-Call Quality
Quality Standards
Standards
Practice Statement: The one-call centre establishes performance
Practice Statement: The one-call centre establishes performance
Practice
standards
Practice Statement:
for the
Statement: The
The one-call
operation of the
one-call centre
centre establishes
centrefor the performance
purpose
establishes of promoting
performance
standards
standards for
for the
the operation
operation of
of the
the centre
centre for
for the
the purpose
purpose of
of promoting
promoting
accuracy,
standards
accuracy, cost
for
cost effectiveness
the operation
effectiveness and
of
and efficiency.
the centre for
efficiency. the purpose of promoting
accuracy, cost effectiveness and efficiency.
accuracy, cost effectiveness and efficiency.
Practice
Description:
Practice
Description:
A.
A. Customer
Customer Quality
Quality of
of Service
Service Performance
Performance Measurements
Measurements –
– It
It is
is best
best
A. Customer
practice
A. Customer inQuality
the
Quality of
of Service
one-call
Service Performance
centre industry
Performance to Measurements
monitor the
Measurements – It
quality
– It is
of
is best
service
best
practice
practice in
in the
the one-call
one-call centre
centre industry
industry to
to monitor
monitor the
the quality
quality of
of service
service
provided
practice
provided to
in
to the
the
the customer
one-call
customer calling
centre
calling the
the centre.
industry to Key
monitor
centre. Key measurements
the quality
measurements of include:
service
include:
provided
provided to the customer calling the centre. Key measurements include:
to the customer calling the centre. Key measurements include:
Canadian
Canadian Common
Common Ground
Ground Alliance
Alliance
Canadian
Canadian
Best Common
Common
Practices Version Ground
2.0 –
Ground
1.0 Alliance
October 2016
Alliance
2014
Best
Practices Version 1.0 – October 2014 29
29
29
1. Speed of Answer
Process – Most call centres route incoming calls through an ACD

(automatic call distributor) either via an on-premise PBX or a
Centrex at the telephone company’s central office. Both of these
devices provide reports that identify, on the average, how long a
caller had to wait before they were answered. This measurement
is called average speed of answer (ASA) and is normally
captured on a half hourly basis and accumulated for the day.
Service Level – An objective service level should be set based on

customer satisfaction and economics. An ASA objective of 30
seconds or less is recommended.
2. Abandoned Calls
Process – The PBX or Centrex also provides this data. It will

normally identify the number of calls abandoned and how long
the callers waited before they hung up.
Service Level – An objective service level should be set based on

percentage of calls. An abandonment rate of less than 5% by callers
that waited more than 60 seconds is a reasonable objective.
3. Busy Signals
Process – The one-call centre is equipped with sufficient incoming

lines to minimize busy signals.
Service Level – The performance level for busy signals received

by callers into the one-call centre does not exceed 1% of the
total incoming call volume.
4. Customer Satisfaction
Process - A fundamental principal in measuring quality is that

“the customer defines quality.” Periodic customer satisfaction
surveys of callers are conducted.
Service Level – An objective service level is set based on

percentage of caller’s responses. An objective of 99% customer
satisfaction is recommended.
B. Locate Request Content
The one-call centre has in place a quality of service plan that includes
measurements of accuracy, productivity, and defects in locate request
tickets.
C. Relational Database Quality and System Functionality
The geographic, relational database and the system that uses it

confirms the hierarchical relationship between the street address,
street, municipality, county or region.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
D. Locate Request Delivery
D. Locate Request Delivery
The one-call centre establishes the following minimum criteria for
D. Locate
The
quality Request
one-call
of locate Delivery
centre establishes
request delivery.theTransmission
following minimum criteriaare
audit reports forsent to
quality
The one-call centre establishes the following minimum criteria forsent to
of
receiving locate
locationsrequest
daily. delivery. Transmission audit reports are
receiving
quality of locations
locate daily. delivery. Transmission audit reports are sent to
request
1. Average emergency ticket transmission time (< 5 minutes)
receiving
1. Average locations daily. ticket transmission time (< 5 minutes)
emergency
2. Average priority notice ticket transmission time (< 15 minutes)
1.
2. Average
Average emergency ticket
priority notice transmission
ticket transmissiontime
time(< (<
5 minutes)
15 minutes)
3. Average standard ticket transmission time (< 30 minutes)
2.
3. Average priority notice
Average standard ticketticket transmission
transmission time time
(< 30(<minutes)
15 minutes)
4. The ticket information should be transmitted in an electronic data
3.
4. Average
format
The ticketstandard
that allows ticket transmission
the should
information receiving time (<
beequipment
transmitted toin30
anminutes)
parse/extract
electronicthe
data
format thatinformation
data.ticket
4. The allows the should
receiving beequipment
transmittedtoinparse/extract
an electronicthedata
E. data.
format that allows the receiving equipment to parse/extract
Ratio of Incoming Locate Requests to Outgoing Ticket Transmission The the
E. Ratiodata.
one-call centre monitors
of Incoming Locatethe ratio oftoincoming
Requests Outgoinglocate
Ticketrequests to outgoing
Transmission The
ticket transmissions.
one-call centre Thisthe
monitors data assists
ratio of in evaluating
incoming locatethe centre’sto outgoing
requests
E. Ratio of Incoming
marketing, Locate
education, Requests
mapping, to Outgoing
budgeting, and Ticket Transmission The
cost performance.
ticket transmissions.
one-call This
centre monitors data
the assists
ratio in evaluating
of incoming locatethe centre’sto outgoing
requests
marketing, education, mapping, budgeting, and cost performance.
ticket transmissions. This data assists in evaluating the centre’s
2-24: One-Call Centre Mapping
marketing, education, mapping, budgeting, and cost performance.
2-24: One-Call Centre Mapping
Practice statement: The one-call centre maintains a current street
2-24:
centrelineOne-Call
Practice statement: Centre
mapping database Mapping
The one-call
and centre itmaintains
updates a current
as new/revised mapstreet
data
becomes available
centreline
Practice mappingtodatabase
statement: the centre.
The and updates
one-call centre itmaintains
as new/revised map
a current data
street
becomes available
centreline mapping todatabase
the centre.
and updates it as new/revised map data
Practice Description: The One-Call Centre utilizes various official mapping
becomes
Practice available to
sources toDescription: the centre.
The One-Call
maintain an accurate Centre
and up to dateutilizes
streetvarious official
centerline basemapping
map
sources
Practice toDescription:
maintain
for the centre. an accurate
This map and up
is continuously
The One-Call to date
updated
Centre street centerline
withvarious
utilizes new street base
names
official mapand
mapping
for the
addressedcentre. This
segments map
as is
wellcontinuously
as current updated
and past with
place new street
names for
sources to maintain an accurate and up to date street centerline base map names
various and
addressed
political segments
entities. The as well
centre as current
online base and
map past
is place names
refreshed at for
least
for the centre. This map is continuously updated with new street names and various
twice a
political
year andentities.
addressed more The as
segments centre
frequently in online
well areas base
of
as current map
rapid
and is refreshed
growth.
past at least
place names twice a
for various
year andentities.
political more frequently
The centrein online
areas of rapid
base mapgrowth.
is refreshed at least twice a
2-25:
year and One-Call Centre
more frequently is of
in areas the Interface
rapid growth. between
2-25: One-Call
Excavators Centre is the Interface
and Registered Facilitybetween
Owners for
Excavators
the Purpose
2-25: One-Call and
Centre Registered
of Receiving Facility
Locate
is the Interface Owners for
Requests
between
the Purpose of Receiving Locate Requests
PracticeExcavators
statement: The and Registered
one-call Facility
centre is the interfaceOwners
between thefor
Practice the Purpose
statement:
digging community (all The of Receiving
one-call and
excavators) centre Locate Requests
is the interface
registered owners between
of buriedthe
facilities
digging
for community
the purpose
Practice (all The
excavators)
of receiving
statement: and registered
locate requests.
one-call centre owners between
is the interface of buriedthefacilities
for the purpose
digging community of receiving locate requests.
(all excavators)
Practice Description: The one-calland registered
centre makes owners of buried
every effort facilities
through its
for the
Practice purpose
damage prevention of receiving
Description:promotional locate
The one-call requests.
centre makes
and educational every effort
activities through
to ensure thatitsall
damage
excavators
Practice prevention
are aware
Description:promotional
of The
digging and educational
dangers
one-call centre the activities
andmakes necessity toofensure
every effort thatits
requesting
through all
excavators
damage are aware
locates through
prevention of digging
the promotional
one-call dangers
centre
and prior and
to the activities
necessity
excavating.
educational Thetoof requesting
one-call
ensure centre
that all
locates
promotes through
excavators the the one-call
arebenefits
aware centre
of digging
of membership prior
dangersto to
all
andexcavating.
facility The of
owners.
the necessity one-call
The centre
one-call
requesting
centre
locatesimplements
promotes through thethe
the benefits one-call
of bestprior
membership
one-call centre practices
to to to ensure
all excavating.
facility the The
owners.
The locate request
one-call
one-call centre
centre
process implements
established the
by one-call
the best
one-call practices
centre, to ensure
provides an the locate
effective
promotes the benefits of membership to all facility owners. The one-call request
interface
process
between
centre established
the excavator
implements by one-call
the the
andone-call
bestcentre,
registered facility
practices provides
owners. an effective
to ensure the locate interface
request
betweenestablished
process the excavator andone-call
by the registered facility
centre, owners.
provides an effective interface
between the excavator and registered facility owners.

Best Practices
Ground 2016
2014
Alliance 31
Best Practices
Common – October
Ground 2014
Alliance 31
2-26:
2-26: All
All Buried
Buried Facility
Facility Owners
Owners are are Members
Members of of the
the
2-26: All BuriedCentre
One-Call Facility Owners are Members of the
2-26: All BuriedCentre
One-Call Facility Owners are Members of the
One-Call Centre
PracticeOne-Call
Statement:Centre
All buried facility owners are members of the one-call
Practice Statement: All buried facility owners are members of the one-call
Practice
centre Statement: All buriedoffacility owners areareas members of the one-call
centre and
Practice register
register the
andStatement: location
the All
location their
their notification
buriedoffacility notification
owners areareas memberswith the
with of one-call
thethe
one-call
one-call
centre
centre. and register the location of their notification areas with the one-call
centre.and register the location of their notification areas with the one-call
centre
centre.
centre.
Practice
Description: The The one-call
one-call centre
centre uses
uses a a comprehensive
comprehensive
Practice
marketing Description:
strategy to The all
make one-call
facilitycentre
owners uses
awarea comprehensive
of
marketingDescription:
Practice strategy to make The all facilitycentre
one-call owners aware
uses of the
the benefits
benefits of
a comprehensive of
marketing strategy
membership in the to make centre.
one-call all facility
Theowners
processaware
to of is
join the benefits
simple and of
membership
marketing in the one-call
strategy to make centre. Theowners
all facility process to join
aware of is simple
the andofbarrier
benefits barrier
membership
free. The in the
services one-call
offered centre.
by the The
one-call process
centre to
arejoin
costis simple and
effective andbarrier
meet
free. The services
membership in theoffered
one-callbycentre.
the one-call centre to
The process arejoin
costis effective
simple andand meet
barrier
free.
the The
needs services
of offered
facility owners.by the one-call centre are cost effective and meet
the needs
free. of facility
The services owners.
offered by the one-call centre are cost effective and meet
the needs of facility owners.
the needs of facility owners.
2-27:
2-27: Excavators
Excavators Contact
Contact thethe One-Call
One-Call Centre
Centre Before
Before
2-27: Excavators
Excavating Contact the One-Call Centre Before
2-27: Excavators
Excavating Contact the One-Call Centre Before
Excavating
PracticeExcavating
Statement: Excavators contact the one-call centre to request
Practice Statement: Excavators contact the one-call centre to request
Practice
locates Statement: Excavators contact the one-call centre to request
locates prior
Practice to
to excavating.
Statement:
prior excavating.
Excavators contact the one-call centre to request
locates prior to excavating.
locates
Practiceprior to excavating.
Description: TheThe one-call
one-call centre
centre educates
educates excavators
excavators ofof the
the
Practice
necessity Description:
to contact the The one-call
one-call centre
centre educates
before they excavators
dig. The of the
one-call centre
necessity to contact the The
one-call centre
one-call before
centre they dig.
educates The one-call
excavators centre
of the
necessity
employs to contact
best thetoone-call
practices ensure centre
accessbefore
to the they dig.
centre at The
all one-call
times and centre
by
employs best
necessity practices
to contact thetoone-call
ensurecentre
accessbefore
to the they
centre at The
dig. all times by a
andcentre
one-call a
employsofbest
variety practices
methods to ensure
(phone, fax, accessremote
e-mail, to the centre
entry) at
to all timesthat
ensure andthe
by a
variety ofbest
employs methods (phone,
practices fax, e-mail,
to ensure accessremote entry) at
to the centre to all
ensure
timesthat
andthe
by a
variety
locate of methods (phone, fax, e-mail, remote entry) to ensure that the
locate request
varietyrequest process
process
of methods is
is efficient
(phone,efficient and
and effective.
effective.
fax, e-mail, remote entry) to ensure that the
locate request process is efficient and effective.
locate request process is efficient and effective.
2-28:
2-28: One-call
One-call Centre
Centre Advises
Advises Excavators
Excavators to to Contact
Contact
2-28: One-call Centre
Non-Members Advises Excavators to Contact
2-28: One-call CentreDirectly
Non-Members Advises Excavators to Contact
Directly
Non-Members Directly
PracticeNon-Members
Practice Statement:
Statement: The Directly
The one-call
one-call centre
centre will
will advise
advise excavators
excavators on
on every
every
Practice
request Statement: Theowners
one-callare
centre will advise excavators on every
request that
Practice that not
not all
all facility
Statement: facility
Theowners
one-callare
members
members
centre
of
of one-call
will adviseone-call centre
centreon
excavators
and
and that
that
every
request
the that not
excavator all facility
must contact owners are members
non-members directlyoftoone-call
obtain centre
locates and that
prior to
the excavator must contact non-members directly to obtain locates
request that not all facility owners are members of one-call centre and that prior to
the excavator
excavating. must contact non-members directly to obtain locates prior to
excavating.
the excavator must contact non-members directly to obtain locates prior to
excavating.
excavating.
Practice
Description: The The centre
centre advises
advises excavators
excavators on on the
the status
status for
for
Practice
members Description:
only for the digThe
sitecentre advises
location. Until excavators
all facility on the status
owners are for
members Description:
Practice only for the digThe sitecentre
location. Untilexcavators
advises all facility owners
on the are members
members
status for
members
of the only for
one-call the dig
centre, the site location.
one-call Until
centre willalladvise
facilityevery
owners are members
excavator for
of the one-call
members only centre,
for the thesite
dig one-call centre
location. willalladvise
Until facilityevery excavator
owners are for
members
of therequest
their one-callthat
centre,
they the
must one-call
contactcentre will advisedirectly
non-members every excavator
before theyfor
their
of therequest that
one-call they
centre, must
the contact
one-call non-members
centre will advise directly
every before
excavatortheyfor
their request that they must contact non-members directly before they
excavate.
excavate.
their request that they must contact non-members directly before they
excavate.
excavate.
2-29:
2-29: One-Call
One-Call Centre
Centre Accepts
Accepts Locate
Locate Requests
Requests in in
2-29: One-Call
Both Centre
Official Accepts Locate Requests in
Languages
2-29: One-Call Centre
Both Official Accepts Locate Requests in
Languages
Both Official Languages
PracticeBoth Official
statement: The Languages
one-call centre accepts locate requests in English
Practice statement: The one-call centre accepts locate requests in English
Practice
or statement: Thetoone-call centreservice
accepts locate requests in English
or French
Practice and
and subscribes
French statement:
subscribes a
a translation
Thetoone-call
translation
centreservice
accepts for other
forlocate common
otherrequests
commonin English
or French
languages. and subscribes to a translation service for other common
languages.
or French and subscribes to a translation service for other common
languages.
languages.
Practice
Description: The The one-call
one-call centre
centre maintains
maintains sufficient
sufficient bilingual
bilingual staff
staff
Practice
on duty atDescription:
the centre to The one-call
accept locatecentre maintains
requests in eithersufficient
English bilingual
or French.staff
on duty atDescription:
Practice the centre to Theaccept locatecentre
one-call requests in eithersufficient
maintains English or French.staff
bilingual
on duty
The at the
centre will centre to accept
subscribe to locate requests in either English or French.
Theduty
on centre will centre
at the subscribe to a
a translation
to accepttranslation service
serviceinto
locate requests assist
toeither with
with the
assistEnglishthe
or French.
The centre
communicationwill subscribe
of locate to a translation
requests by service
excavators to assist
using with
other the
common
communication
The of locate requests
centre will subscribe by excavators
to a translation using
service to other
assist withcommon
the
communication
languages. of locate requests by excavators using other common
languages. The
communicationThe ofticket
ticket documentation
documentation
locate will
will always be
be processed
always using
requests by excavators processed in
in English.
other commonEnglish.
languages. The ticket documentation will always be processed in English.
languages. The ticket documentation will always be processed in English.

Alliance
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Version Ground
2.0
1.0 Alliance
– October 2016
2014
32 Best Practices
Canadian Version
Common 1.0 –
GroundOctober 2014
Alliance
32
2-30: One-Call Centre is the Interface between
2-30: One-Call Centre
Excavators is the Interface
and Registered Facilitybetween
Owners for
2-30: One-Call
ExcavatorsCentre
and is the Interface
Registered Facilitybetween
Owners for
the Purpose
Excavators of
and Updating
Registered the status
Facility of Locate
Owners for
the Purpose
completions of Updating the status of Locate
the Purpose of Updating the status of Locate
completions
Practicecompletions
statement: The one-call centre is the interface between the
Practice
digging statement:
community (all The one-call and
excavators) centre is the interface
registered owners between
of buried thefacilities
Practice
digging statement:
community The one-call
(all excavators) centre is
andofregisteredthe interface between
owners ofby buried the
facilities
for the purpose of updating the status locate completions members.
digging community
for the purpose (all excavators)
of updating andofregistered
the status owners of by
locate completions buried facilities
members.
for the purpose
Practice of updating
Description: Thethe statuscentre
one-call of locate completions
provides the meansby members.
via its web
site for members to post the status of their locate notifications onvia
The one-call centre provides the means anits web
Practice
site for Description:
members to post The
the one-call
status of centre
their provides
locate the meanson
notifications viaanits web
individual ticket basis. The centre will accept requests from excavators to
site for members
individual to post the statuswill
of accept
their locate notifications on an to
reissue theticket basis.
notification The centre
to members who haverequests from excavators
not completed their locate by
individual
reissue ticket basis. The centre will accept requests from excavators to by
the workthe
to notification
begin date on to members who
the original have not completed their locate
request.
reissue
the work the
tonotification
begin date to onmembers who
the original have not completed their locate by
request.
the work to begin date on the original request.
2-31: One-Call Centre reminds excavators digging on
2-31: One-Call
private Centre reminds
property excavators
that theyexcavators
should advisedigging on
the on
2-31: One-Call
private Centre reminds
property that they should digging
advise the
centre
private if they arethat
aware ofshould
any private lines
centre ifproperty
situated they
on theare aware
property
they advise
of any private the
lines
centre if they are aware
situated on the property of any private lines
Practicesituated
statement:on the
The property
one-call centre reminds excavators digging on
Practice
private statement:
property that theyTheshould
one-call centre
advise thereminds
centre ifexcavators digging
they are aware ofon
any
Practice
private statement:
property that Theshould
they one-call centre
advise thereminds
centre excavators
if they are diggingofon
aware any
private lines situated on the property and that it is the responsibility of the
private property
private lines that
situated they
on the should advise
property the
and that centre
it are if
is the they are aware
responsibility of any
property owner to ensure that their private lines located prior to of the
private
property lines
ownersituated
to on the
ensure property
that their and that
private it is
lines arethe responsibility
located prior to of the
excavation.
property
excavation. owner to ensure that their private lines are located prior to
Practice Description: The one-call centre includes a reminder to excavators
excavation.
Practice
digging onDescription:
private property Thethat one-call
they centre
should includes
make thea centre
reminder to excavators
aware of any
Practice
digging onDescription:
private propertyThe one-call
that they centre
should includes
make a
the reminder
centre to
aware excavators
of any
private lines that exist on the property. The centre will advise the excavator
digging
private on private
lines that property
exist on thethat they should
property. The make the
centre will centre
advise aware
the of any
excavator
that it is responsibility of the excavator to ensure that any private lines on the
private
that it islines that exist of
responsibility onthe
the excavator
property. Theensure
centrethat
will any
advise the excavator
property are located prior to excavation.toThe centre will private
note lines on the
this information
that it
propertyis responsibility
are located of
prior theto excavator
excavation. to ensure
The that
centre willany private
note this lines on the
information
in the remarks section of the notification to members. The members may then
property are located
in thewhatever
remarks sectionprior to excavation.
of the notification The centre willThe
to with
members. note this information
members may then
take action they deem necessary the excavator when private
in the
take remarks
whatever section
action of
they the notification
deem necessaryto members.
with the The
excavator members
when may then
private
lines are known to be buried in the vicinity of the excavation site.
take whatever action they deem necessary with the
lines are known to be buried in the vicinity of the excavation site. excavator when private
lines are known to be buried in the vicinity of the excavation site.
2-32: The One-Call Centre is the interface between
2-32: The One-Call
excavators Centre
and is the facility
registered interface between
owners for the
2-32: The One-Call
excavators Centre is
and registered the interface
facility between
owners for the
purpose
excavatorsof reporting
and registeredburied facilities
facility ownersnot for the
purpose
originallyof reporting
identified buried facilities not
purpose reportingon
originallyofidentified on
the locate
buried sheet.
facilities
the locate sheet. not
Practiceoriginally
statement: identified on the
The one-call centre will locate sheet.
receive calls from the
Practice statement:
excavator reporting theThe one-call
discovery ofcentre will receive
unidentified calls
facilities fromwithin
found the the
Practice
excavator statement:
reporting the The one-callofcentre
discovery will receive
unidentified callsfound
facilities from within
the the
excavation area.
excavator
excavationreporting
area. the discovery of unidentified facilities found within the
excavation area.
Practice Description: The one-call centre receives detailed verbal
description of plant that The one-call
has been centre receives
discovered from thedetailed verbal
excavator. This
Practice Description: The one-call centre receives detailed verbal
information is then dispatched / forwarded to the registered facilityThis
description of plant that has been discovered from the excavator. owners.
description
information of plant that has been discovered from the excavator. This
This type of is then dispatched
request triggers an/ emergency
forwarded to the registered
notification. facility owners.
information
This type of isrequest
then dispatched
triggers an/ emergency
forwarded to the registered facility owners.
notification.
This type of request triggers an emergency notification.

Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
Version 2.0
1.0 Alliance
– October 2016
2014
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
– October 2014 33
33
1.0 – October 2016
2014
3-0 Locating and Marking
Best Practices
3 Locating and
Marking
3-0 Locating and Marking Best Practices
3-1: Use of Records
Practice Statement: Locators utilize on-site facility records at all times.
Practice Description: Facility locators use on-site records at all times.

Facility records can indicate approximate location, number of facilities and
access points for buried facilities within a requested area. The use of facility
owner/ operator supplied records is an effective method of identifying
facilities as part of the locating process.
When as-built/as-constructed records are not available on-site but there

exists an electromagnetic or alternative technique to physically locate the
facility, the locate should be completed by the available technique and
verified where possible with the facility owner/operator.
When records are not available on-site and electromagnetic techniques

cannot be used (example; no tracer wire) or when as-built/as-constructed
records are available on-site but there exists no electromagnetic or
alternative technique to physically locate the facility, it may be necessary to
delay the completion of the locate while archives are accessed, requiring
immediate notification of all parties. It can be useful for the locator to have
a locate process checklist to prompt the use of records at all times when on
site.
3-2: Record Corrections

Practice Statement: If a locator becomes aware of an error or
omission, then the locator provides information for the updating of records
that are in error or to add new facilities.
Practice Description: During the course of a locating activity, a locator may

become aware of errors, damages to electromagnetic facilities or omissions.
Methods should be in place to notify a facility owner/operator of that error,
damage or omission. The observations are submitted to the appropriate
person or department. The method and timing of notification is determined by
the facility owner/operator and includes the following information:
x Name (and company if contracted),
x Contact phone number of the individual(s) submitting change,
x Location (either address or reference points),
x Size and type of facility,
x Nature of the error, damage or omission, and
x Sketch of the change in relation to the other facilities.
Errors, omissions and damages, may include, but are not limited to, missing
or non-existent records, misdrawn records, damaged or nonexistent
electromagnetic facilities to physically locate the facility, changes to

1.0 – October 2016
2014 35
referenced surface features, changes during construction at the job site,
repair or abandonment of facilities and delays in posting new records.
Failure to note errors or omissions when found could result in damages to
the facility at a later date. Additionally, 3.1, Use of Records must be
considered in conjunction with this Best Practice.
3-3: Colour Code

Practice Statement: Buried utilities should be marked using the
APWA Uniform Colour Code.
Practice Description: The uniform colour code developed by the

American Public Works Association (APWA) for marking buried utilities is
used and understood by contractors, locators and utility owners
throughout the North American Continent. These colours are endorsed
by the Canadian Standards Association in CSA S250-11 and specified by
Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and should be used to mark
all buried utilities.
These colours are related to specific types of underground facilities as
follows:
Colour Type of Facility/Indicator
Red - Electric power lines, cables, conduits and lighting cables
Yellow - Gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous materials
Orange - Communication, alarm or signal lines, cables or

conduit
Blue - Potable Water
Green - Sewers and drain lines
Pink - Temporary survey markings
Purple - Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
White - Proposed excavation
3-4: Locating Multiple Facilities

Practice Statement: A single, qualified locator used for multiple facilities.
Practice Description: It should be noted that this best practice does not
suggest that all facilities be located by a single locator, but rather that
conditions may exist in which locating multiple facilities with a single locator
may reduce the likelihood of errors and resulting damage (e.g., multiple
facilities with the same owner or multiple facilities that are marked with the
same or similar colour codes).

1.0 – October 2016
2014
This practice is currently being employed by a number of facility owners to
enhance safety and is employed when determined to be advantageous by
the facility owner/operator. The use of a single locator to mark multiple
facilities may provide several advantages to both the facility and the
excavating communities. Among these advantages are:
x More responsive service to the excavation community,
x Better communication with the excavating community (fewer points of
contact),
x Improved safety due to less traffic on the road,
x Improved worker safety,
x Reduced environmental impact, and
x Maps of multiple facilities.
The use of a single locator to carry out locate requests for multiple facilities
may simplify communications, with fewer links needed between excavator
and locator.
3-5: Training
Practice Statement: Locators are properly trained and training is
documented.
Practice Description: Minimum training guidelines and practices are

adopted for locator training. These guidelines and practices include the
following:
x Understanding System Design/Prints/Technology
x Understanding Construction Standards and Practices for all Types of
Facilities
x Equipment Training and Techniques
x Plant Recognition Training
x Theory of Locating
x Daily Operations
x Facility Owner/Excavator Relationships and Image
x Workplace Safety Insurance Act and Occupational Health & Safety Act
requirements
x Understanding of company safety procedures
x Written and Field Testing
x Field Training
x Refresher Training
Documentation of all training is maintained to ensure that facility locators

have been properly trained.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 37
3-6: Locator and Public Safety
3-6: Locator and Public Safety
Practice Statement: Locates are performed safely.
Practice Statement: Locates are performed safely.
Practice Description: It is the responsibility of the owner/operator and
Practice
locator to Description:
establish whenItand is the
howresponsibility of the facility
the underground owner/operator and
will be identified.
locator
All to establish
hazards associatedwhen withand how the underground
performing facility willAppropriate
a locate are identified. be identified.
3-6:
All hazards
measures
Locator
associated
conforming
and with
to
Public
performing
federal,
Safety
a locate
provincial, localare
andidentified.
industry Appropriate
standards are
Practice
measures Statement:
established. Employees are made aware of these hazards and standards
conforming to federal,
Locates provincial,
are performed local and
safely. industry properly are
established.
trained Employees
in worker safety are made aware of these hazards and properly
standards.
trained in worker safety standards.
locator
The to establish
following items when
shouldand be how the underground
considered facility willand
as part of assessing be identified.
All hazards
The
mitigating associated
following itemson
hazards withjob
should
the performing
be whenaperforming
considered
site locate
as partareofidentified.
locate: Appropriate
aassessing and
measures conforming
mitigating hazards on to thefederal,
job siteprovincial, local anda industry
when performing locate: standards are
x Communication between locator and other personnel at the job site
established. Employees are made aware of these hazards and properly
x Communication between locator and other personnel at the job site
x Locator
trained shouldsafety
in worker be aware of safety requirements and written emergency
standards.
x procedures
Locator shouldto be
befollowed
aware ofon the project
safety where applicable
requirements and writtenoremergency
establish
The following items
his/her own.
procedures to beshould
followedbe on
considered as where
the project part ofapplicable
assessing or andestablish
his/herhazards
mitigating own. on the job site when performing a locate:
x Traffic control considerations, including vehicular movement and
x pedestrian
Communicationactivity
Traffic control considerations,
between locator including vehicular
and other movement
personnel andsite
at the job
pedestrian activity
x Trip andshould
Locator fall hazards
be aware of safety requirements and written emergency
x Trip and fallto
hazards
x Sources or energyfollowed
procedures be (overhead on and
the project
other) where applicable or establish
his/her own.
x Sources or energy (overhead and other)
x Environmental factors
x Traffic control considerations, including vehicular movement and
pedestrian activity
3-7: Locate Quality
3-7:
x Locate
Trip and Quality
fall hazards
Practice Statement: A visual inspection is completed during the locating
Sources
xPractice
process. or energy (overhead
Statement: and other)
A visual inspection is completed during the locating
process.
Practice Description: This inspection includes the following:
x
3-7: All facilities
Locate within a facility owner/operator’s service area (to evaluate the
Quality
x scope of thewithin
All facilities locatearequest),
facility owner/operator’s service area (to evaluate the
Practice
scopeStatement:
of the locate Arequest),
visual inspection is completed during the locating
x Identification of access points,
process.
x Identification of potential hazards, and
x Identification of potential hazards, and
x Assurance that plant facilities shown on available records match those of
x All
thefacilities
site. that within a facility owner/operator’s service area (to evaluate the
x Assurance plant facilities shown on available records match those of
scope of the locate request),
the site.
The primary reason for a visual inspection is to determine if there are facilities
The
placedprimary
that arereason
not onforrecord.
a visualItinspection is to determine
is very important if there
that visual are facilities
inspections be
xplacedIdentification
completed thatinare notofon
areas ofpotential
record.
new hazards,
It is very and
construction, important that visual
where records may not inspections be
indicate the
completed
xpresence in areas of
of a facility.
Assurance new construction,
The facilities
that plant visual inspection where
shown on records
is available may
necessaryrecords
because not indicate
the time
match the
it of
those
presence
takes the aoffacility
forsite. a facility. Theinvisual
placed inspection
the field is necessary
to be placed because records
on permanent the timevaries
it
takes
by for aowner/operator
facility facility placed inand thelocation.
field to be placed of
Evidence onapermanent
facility not records varies
on record
The primary reason for a visual inspection is to determine if there are facilities
by facilitybut
includes, owner/operator
is not limited and location.
to, poles, Evidence
dips, of a facility
enclosures, pedestals not(including
on record new
placed that are not on record. It is very important that visual inspections be
includes,
cables found within the pedestals), valves, meters, risers, and manholes. new
but is not limited to, poles, dips, enclosures, pedestals (including
completed in areas of new construction, where records may not indicate the
cables found within the pedestals), valves, meters, risers, and manholes.
presence of a facility. The visual inspection is necessary because the time it
takes for a facility placed in the field to be placed on permanent records varies
by facility owner/operator and location. Evidence of a facility not on record
includes, but is not limited to, poles, dips, enclosures, pedestals (including new
cables found within the pedestals), valves, meters, risers, and manholes.
38 Canadian
Ground 2016
Alliance
2014
Practice Description: Facility locators match markings to the existing and
expected surface conditions. Markings may include one or any combination
of the following: paint, chalk, flags, stakes, brushes or offsets. Paint marks
will be a length of 30 cm to 90 cm and approximately 3 cm wide. Proper
3-8: for
training Excavation Siteincludes
all facility locators Conditionsproperly identifying the varying
3-8: and
surface Excavation
environmental Site Conditions
conditions that exist in the field and what
Practicemethods
marking Statement:should Facilities
be used. are adequately identified for conditions.
Practice Statement: Facilities are adequately identified for conditions.
Practice Description: Facility locators match markings to the existing and
Conditions that can affect markings are rain, snow, vegetation, high traffic,
expected surface conditions. Markings
Facility locatorsmay include
match one ortoany
markings thecombination
existing and
construction,
of the following:
expected etc.paint,
surface chalk,Markings
conditions. flags, stakes,
may brushes or offsets.
include one Paint marks
or any combination
willthe
of be following:
a length ofpaint,
30 cm to 90flags,
chalk, cm and approximately
stakes, brushes or3offsets.
cm wide. Proper
Paint marks
training
will
3-8: be afor
Greater all facility
length
Excavation
Than locators
to 90includes
of 30 40cm/16”
cm Site and properly
cmless
Conditions
or Greateridentifying
Than 3 cmthe
approximately varying
wide. Proper
40cm/16” or less
surface
training and environmental
for all
40cm/16” facility locatorsconditions
includesthat exist
properly in the field the
identifying
40cm/16” andvarying
what
Practice
marking
surface Statement:
methods
and should
environmental Facilities are adequately
beconditions
used. that exist identified
in the fieldfor conditions.
and what
marking methods should be used.
GM
Conditions that can affect
expected surface conditions.
GM
Facility locators
markings
Markings
match
are rain,
may
BT
markings
snow,
include
vegetation,
one
BT
to the existing and
high traffic,
or any combination
Conditions that
construction, etc. can affect markings are rain, snow, vegetation, high traffic,
of the following: paint, chalk, flags, stakes, brushes or offsets. Paint marks
construction,
will be a length etc.
of 30 cm to 90 cm and approximately 3 cm wide. Proper
Greater
training
Field marks Than
for all
should be40cm/16”
facility locators
placed at oraless
includes Greater
properly
minimum Than
of 3identifying
m 40cm/16”
intervalsthe varying
and or less
at any
Greater
surface and
40cm/16”Than 40cm/16”
environmental or less
conditions thatGreater
exist inThan
40cm/16”the field
directional changes. When placing marks in the field, the centre line of 40cm/16”
and what or less
the
marking methods should be used.
40cm/16” 40cm/16”
facility is to be marked. Facility structures greater than 40 cm/16 inches
GM
should havethat
Conditions thecan
edgesaffect GM
of the facilityare
markings marked BT
rain, denoting the widthhigh
snow, vegetation, BT
of the plant
traffic,
GM
or structure inetc.
construction, GM BT
addition to the centre line. See examples below: BT
FieldGreater
marksThanshould be40cm/16”
placed atoraless minimum Greater
of 3 m Thanintervals40cm/16”
and at any or less
Field 40cm/16”
marks
directional should
changes.
3-9: Locate Status be placed
When at
placing a minimum
marks in 40cm/16”
of
the3 m
field,intervals
the and
centre at
line any
of the
directional
facility is tochanges.
be marked. When placing
Facility marks ingreater
structures the field,
thanthe cm/16line
40centre of the
inches
Practice Statement: Positive response is provided to facility locate
facility is
should
requests. GMto be
have themarked.
edges of GM
Facility structures
the facility marked BT
greater thanthe
denoting 40 width BT
cm/16ofinches the plant
should have the edges of the facility marked denoting
or structure in addition to the centre line. See examples below: the width of the plant
Practice Description: All facility locate requests
or structure in addition to the centre line. See examples below: result in a positive
response from the facility owner/operator to the excavator. A positive
Field marks should be placed at a minimum of 3 m intervals and at any
response, agreeable to all parties, may include one or more of the following:
3-9: Locate
directional changes.Status
When placing marks in the field, the centre line of the
3-9:
facility
Markings Locate
is to
or be Status
marked. Facility
documentation structures
left at greater
the job issite, call than
back, 40 cm/16
email, faxinches
or
Practice Statement: Positive response provided to facility locate
should
automated
Practice
requests. have the edges
response
Statement: of
system theorfacility
Positive other marked
electronic
response denoting the width
mediatotransmission.
is provided facility of the plant
locate
or structure in addition to the centre line. See examples below:
requests.
A positive Description:
Practice response allows All the excavator
facility to know whether
locate requests result in all facility
a positive
owners/operators
Practice
response from thehave
Description: marked thelocate
Allowner/operator
facility facility requested
requests
to thearea prior in
result
excavator. to athe beginning of
Apositive
positive
the excavation.
response from the facility owner/operator to the excavator.
response, agreeable to all parties, may include one or more of the following: A positive
3-9:
response,Locate
agreeableStatus
to all parties, may include one or more of the following:
Markings Multiple
3-10: or documentation left at the
Facilities job site, call
in “Joint Use” back, email, fax or
Practice Statement: Positive response is provided toTrench
facility locate
Markings or documentation left at the job site, call
automated response system or other electronic media transmission. back, email, fax or
requests.
Practice
automatedStatement:
response system Multiple facilities
or other in a “joint-use”
electronic trench are marked
media transmission.
A positive Description:
individually
Practice response
and withallows All the
corridor excavator
markers.
facility to know whether
locate requests result in all facility
a positive
A positive response
owners/operators allows the excavator to know whether all facility
response
Practice from thehave
Description:
marked
facility the requested
Inowner/operator
general, to the
the number
area prior to the
excavator.
of facilities
beginning of
A positive
marked on theof
owners/operators
the excavation. have marked the requested area prior to the beginning
response,
surface agreeable
equal the to all of
number parties, mayburied
facilities include one or
below. Allmore of the
facilities following:
within the
the excavation.
3-10:
Markings Multiple
same trench should be
or documentationFacilities
individually in “Joint
left at themarked and Use”
job site, call Trench
identified.
back, In situations
email, fax or
3-10: Multiple
automated Facilities
response system or otherin electronic
“Joint Use” Trench
media transmission.
Practice Statement: Multiple facilities in a “joint-use” trench are marked
Practice
A positive Statement:
individually Canadian
response
and with Multiple
allows
corridorthe facilities in
Common
excavator
markers. toaknow
Ground“joint-use”
Alliance
whether trench are marked
all facility
individually
owners/operatorsand with
Besthavecorridor
Practices markers.
markedVersion 1.0 – area
the requested October prior2014 to the beginning of
Practice Description: In general, the number of facilities marked on the 39
the excavation.
Practice Description: Inof general,
surface equal the number facilitiesthe number
buried of facilities
below. marked
All facilities within on the
the
surface
same equal
trench the number
should be of facilities
individuallyin buried
marked below.
andUse” All
identified. facilities within
In situations the
3-10: Multiple Facilities “Joint Trench
same trench should be individually marked and identified. In situations
Practice Statement: Multiple
98397_ORCGA_BestPract-TEXT-Oct2014.indd 39 facilities in a “joint-use” trench are marked 16/10/14 9:42 AM
individually and withCanadian

corridorCommon
markers. Ground Alliance
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
– October 2014
Practice Description: In general,
Best Practices Versionthe number
2.0
1.0 – of facilities
– October
October 2016
2014marked on the 39
39
surface equal the number of facilities buried below. All facilities within the 39
same trench should be individually marked and identified. In situations
where two facilities share the same colour code (such as telephone and
where two facilities share the same colour code (such as telephone and
CATV) both facilities should be identified and the marks placed parallel, but
CATV) both facilities should be identified and the marks placed parallel, but
with enough separation so that they may be readily identified. In
with enough separation so that they may be readily identified. In
circumstances where the total number of lines buried in the same trench by
circumstances where the total number of lines buried in the same trench by
a single facility owner/operator may not be readily known, a corridor marker
a single facility owner/operator may not be readily known, a corridor marker
is used. The corridor mark indicates the width of the facility.
is used. The corridor mark indicates the width of the facility.
3-11: Locate Method Preference
3-11: Locate Method Preference
Practice Statement: When locating electro-magnetically,
Practice Statement: When locating electro-magnetically,
active/conductive locating is preferable to passive/inductive locating.
active/conductive locating is preferable to passive/inductive locating.
Practice Description: The preferred method of actively applying a signal
Practice Description: The preferred method of actively applying a signal
onto a facility is to use direct connection. Direct connection is the process of
onto a facility is to use direct connection. Direct connection is the process of
connecting a direct lead from the transmitter to the target facility and
connecting a direct lead from the transmitter to the target facility and
connecting a ground lead from the transmitter to a ground point in order to
connecting a ground lead from the transmitter to a ground point in order to
complete a circuit. This process provides the strongest signal on the line and
complete a circuit. This process provides the strongest signal on the line and
is less likely to spill to adjacent facilities than other methods of applying a
is less likely to spill to adjacent facilities than other methods of applying a
signal. This method allows a greater range of frequency and power output
signal. This method allows a greater range of frequency and power output
options. It is good practice to use the lowest frequency possible at the lowest
options. It is good practice to use the lowest frequency possible at the lowest
power output possible to complete the locate. If direct connection is not
power output possible to complete the locate. If direct connection is not
possible, use of an induction clamp (coupler) is the most effective method of
possible, use of an induction clamp (coupler) is the most effective method of
applying a locate signal onto the target conductor. This method is more
applying a locate signal onto the target conductor. This method is more
limiting for the choices of frequency and power outputs than direct
limiting for the choices of frequency and power outputs than direct
connection. Using an induction clamp is not as effective at transmitting a
connection. Using an induction clamp is not as effective at transmitting a
signal as direct connection, can only be used within certain frequency ranges,
signal as direct connection, can only be used within certain frequency ranges,
and must use a higher power output. The least preferred method is induction
and must use a higher power output. The least preferred method is induction
or broadcast mode on a transmitter. This usually results in a weak signal that
or broadcast mode on a transmitter. This usually results in a weak signal that
will spill to any conductor in the area.
will spill to any conductor in the area.
When using any of the above three methods, the locator should trace the
When using any of the above three methods, the locator should trace the
entire line from the point of signal application through the proposed work
entire line from the point of signal application through the proposed work
area.
area.
Origin/Rational
Origin/Rational
It is very important that locators do not apply a signal application to a line,
It is very important that locators do not apply a signal application to a line,
walk out to the work area and begin locating. This can lead to picking up
walk out to the work area and begin locating. This can lead to picking up
signal on facilities other than the target line. Tracing continuously from the
signal on facilities other than the target line. Tracing continuously from the
point of signal application to the end of the work area improves the
point of signal application to the end of the work area improves the
accuracy of the locate.
accuracy of the locate.
Notable exceptions may include utility "Transmission" situations, where
Notable exceptions may include utility "Transmission" situations, where
signal application opportunities may be limited (e.g. fiber optic networks,
signal application opportunities may be limited (e.g. fiber optic networks,
transmission pipelines and long distance power conductors). In these
transmission pipelines and long distance power conductors). In these
situations, to ensure that a reliable locate is achieved, attention should be
situations, to ensure that a reliable locate is achieved, attention should be
paid to ensure a suitable signal launch is achieved. Subsequently, careful
paid to ensure a suitable signal launch is achieved. Subsequently, careful
reference to distant locate signal characteristics should be made.
reference to distant locate signal characteristics should be made.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
3-12: Facility Identification
3-12: Facility Identification
3-12: Facility
Practice Identification
Statement: The facility owner/operator is identified.
Practice Statement: The facility owner/operator is identified.
Statement: The Thefacility owner/operator
owner/operator is identified.
of a facility is identified by
Practice Description: The owner/operator of a facility is identified by
markings
Practice at the time
Description: the facility is located. This practice facilitates a positive
markings at the time theThe owner/operator
facility is located. This of apractice
facility facilitates
is identified by
a positive
response
markings for
at all
the located
time thefacilities
facility within
is the
located. requested
This practicearea.
facilitates a positive
response for all located facilities within the requested area.
response
In for where
situations all located
two facilities within the same
share the requested
colour area.
code (such as
In situations
telephone or where
CATV) two bothfacilities
facilitiesshare
shouldthebesame colourDuring
identified. code (such as
completion of
In situations
telephone or where
CATV) two
both facilities
facilities share
shouldthebesame colourDuring
identified. code (such as
completion of
the locate the facility material type and size, when available, should be
telephone
the locate or CATV)
the facility both facilities
material type should
and be identified.
size, when Duringshould
available, completion
be of
identified on the locate form.
the locateon
identified thethe
facility material
locate form. type and size, when available, should be
identified on the locate form.
3-13: Communications
Practice Statement: Communication is established amongst all parties.
Practice Statement: Communication is established amongst all parties.
Statement: Communication
Practice Description: is established
Call centers, facility amongst and
owners/operators all parties.
Practice Description: Call centers, facility owners/operators and
excavators
Practice all have clearly defined processes to facilitate communication
excavatorsDescription:
all have clearly Calldefined
centers, facility owners/operators
processes and
to facilitate communication
between
excavators all parties. If the complexity of a project or its duration is such that
between allall have clearly
parties. defined processes
If the complexity to facilitate
of a project communication
or its duration is such that
abetween
clear and precise
all precise understanding
parties.understanding
If the complexity of the excavation
of aexcavation site
project or site is not
its durationeasily
is such that
a clear and of the is not easily
conveyed
a clear and inprecise
writing understanding
on a locate request,of the then a pre-location
excavation site is meeting
not easily is
conveyed in writing on a locate request, then a pre-location meeting is
scheduled.
conveyed This pre-location meeting is on-site to establish the scope of the
scheduled.inThis writing on a locate
pre-location request,
meeting then a to
is on-site pre-location
establish the meeting
scope isof the
excavation.
scheduled. If requested by either party, writtentodocumentation between the
excavation. This pre-location
If requested meeting
by either is on-site
party, establish the scope
written documentation betweenof the
the
excavator
excavation. and the locator
If requested should include:
excavator and the locatorbyshould eitherinclude:
party, written documentation between the
xexcavator and theCompany,
Date, Name, locator should include:
x Date, Name, Company,
x Date, Name,
Contact numbers Company,
for all parties,
x Contact numbers for all parties,
x Contact
List and numbers
the limits for all parties,
of the dig areas to be excavated,
x List and the limits of the dig areas to be excavated,
x List and the
Schedule for limits of the digand
both marking areas to be excavated,
excavating the areas, and
x Schedule for both marking and excavating the areas, and
Schedule
x Follow up for both marking
agreements that and
mightexcavating the areas, and
be necessary.
x Follow up agreements that might be necessary.
Follow uptoagreements
x changes
Any the areas that thatare
might be located
to be necessary.
are in writing and include all
Any changes to the areas that are to be located are in writing and include all
parties
Any responsible
changes for
to the for the
areas excavation and markingareof the excavation sites. all
parties responsible thethat are to be
excavation and located
marking ofinthe
writing and include
excavation sites.
Locators
parties also schedule
responsible for site excavation
the meetings ifand the marking
complexity
of of the
the markingssites.
excavation
Locators also schedule site meetings if the complexity of the markings
requires
Locators further explanation.
also schedule site meetings if the complexity of the markings
requires further explanation.
requires further explanation.
3-14: Locate Report
3-14: Locate Report
3-14: Locate
Practice Report
Statement: A written report which may be referred to as the
Practice Statement: A written report which may be referred to as the
Locate Report or Buried Plant Locate Report or Locate Sheet should be
Practice Statement:
Locate Report or Buried A written
Plant report
Locate which
Report or may beSheet
Locate referred to asbethe
should
issued by the locator in order to provide details and instructions for the
Locate Report
issued by or Buried
the locator Plant to
in order Locate Report
provide or Locate
details Sheet should
and instructions be
for the
locate and to confirm that the locate has been completed.
issued by the
locate and locator in
to confirm order
that the to provide
locate has details and instructions for the
been completed.
locate and to confirm that the locate has been completed.
Practice Description: In order to complete the locate process it is
Practice Description: In order to complete the locate process it is
necessary to provide sufficient information that parties relying on this for
Practice
necessaryDescription: In order
to provide sufficient to complete
information thatthe locate
parties process
relying on itthis
is for
excavation purposes will be able to correctly interpret the marks in the field
necessary
excavationto provide will
purposes sufficient
be able information
to correctlythat partiesthe
interpret relying
marks oninthis
thefor
field
and be aware of the instructions, warnings and limitations of the locate.
excavation
and be aware purposes will be able to
of the instructions, correctlyand
warnings interpret the marks
limitations of the in the field
locate.
This information should be provided in a Locate Report that is legible and
and
This be aware of should
information the instructions,
be provided warnings and limitations
in a Locate Report thatofisthe locate.
legible and
that groups similar types of information in a logical and consistent order.
This information should be provided in a Locate Report that is legible
that groups similar types of information in a logical and consistent order. and
that groups similar types of information in a logical and consistent order.

Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
Version 2.0
1.0 Alliance
– October 2016
2014
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
– October 2014 41
41
While the exact appearance, formatting, inclusions, exclusions and order of
elements may vary in a Locate Report these should be similar to and
consistent with the following generic format, even in emergency situations
where all information provided is hand written.
Primary locate sheet illustrated in Fig.1 should always be placed first and
contain the following information (refer to www.canadiancga.com for full
size version, and Appendix C – How To Read a Locate Sheet):
Figure 1 Primary Locate Sheet

1. Title “Primary Locate Sheet” [must be added at top left/center of sheet].
Name and address of locate service provider (LSP) providing locate. LSP
contact information [minimum of 2]. LSP logo.
2. Page number and total number of pages [must be added at top right of
sheet].
3. Request number or unique identifier of the locate.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
4. Request type, e.g. Std., Emerg.
5. Names of Utility Owners that the LSP has been requested to locate.
6. Excavation date as originally requested.
7. Revised excavation date, if agreed to.
8. Category or classification of party requesting the locate.
9. Name of person submitting locate request.
10. Name of company or party requesting locate [acceptable entries
include homeowner, tenant, self-employed and similar designations].
11. Contact phone number for party requesting the locate.
12. Fax number or email address for party requesting the locate.
13. Address where excavation is to take place [highway marker, survey
plan or GPS coordinates acceptable where street address not available].
14. Name of municipality where excavation is to take place.
15. Date the original locate request was made.
16. Type of intended work or method of excavation.
17. Request for a site meeting prior to locate, with agreed date if
applicable.
18. Dig area description by party requesting locate.
19. Remarks or additional description of work provided by party requesting
locate.
20. Method of field marking area where excavation will take place.
21. General warnings and cautions on use and validity of locate [should be
positioned on sheet to divide information provided at time of request
from information provided by locator].
22. Utility and site records available to locator at time of locate.
23. Site specific warnings and cautions issued by locator.
24. Remarks about circumstances affecting locate issued by locator.
25. Site specific warnings and cautions from utility owners.
26. Method used by locator to field mark utility positions.
27. List of documents or additional information attached to locate report.
28. Name or ID# of locator. Date of issue. Start and end time of locate.
Notice of expiry date or period.
29. Method used to deliver locate report to party requesting locate. Name
and signature of person receiving locate report.
30. Regulatory warnings about use of locate information [should be
positioned at bottom of sheet].

1.0 – October 2016
2014 43
Auxiliary locate sheet(s) illustrated in Fig. 2 should be placed after the primary
locate sheet (refer to www.canadiancga.com for full size version):
Figure 2 Auxiliary Locate Sheet

31. Title “Auxiliary Locate Sheet” [must be added at top left/center of
sheet]. Name and address of locate service provider (LSP) providing
locate. LSP contact information [minimum of 2]. LSP logo.
32. Page number and total number of pages [must be added at top right of
sheet].
33. Request number or unique identifier of locate.
34. Date of issue. Notice of expiry date or period.
35. List of utilities marked by locator.
Canadian
Canadian Common
Common Ground
Ground Alliance
Alliance
Best
Best Practices
Practices Version
Version 2.0
1.0 –– October
October 2016
2014
44
36. Written description of limits of locate, i.e. area covered by this sheet of
locate report.
37. Instructions on use and validity of locate. Specific warning by locator
that limits of locate have been altered since original request.
38. Legend describing symbols used on sketch.
39. Instructions on excavation methods in vicinity of locate marks.
40. Sketch of marks placed by locator.
41. Directional indicator, e.g. north arrow, to provide orientation of sketch.
42. Warning sketch is not to scale.
43. Warning auxiliary sheet is only valid in combination with primary locate
sheet.
44. Regulatory warnings about use of locate information [should be
positioned at bottom of sheet]
Instructions sheet, an example is illustrated in Fig. 3, should be placed after
the auxiliary locate sheets (refer to canadiancga.com
ccga.com for full size
for full
version):
size version):
FIGURE 3 Disclaimer
45. Title of sheet, e.g. “Instructions” or “Disclaimer” [should be

place at top of sheet with instructions from utility owners and/or
regulators below].
Canadian
Canadian Common
Common Ground
Ground Alliance
Alliance
Best
Best Practices
Practices Version
Version 2.0
1.0 –– October
October 2016
2014 45
3-15: Damage Investigation and Reporting
Practice Statement: A damaged facility is investigated and reported as
soon as possible after occurrence of damage.
Practice Description: Any time that damage occurs, a proper investigation

is performed and the result of the investigation reported. This is to determine
the root cause and any additional factors that may have contributed to the
damage. The information gathered from damage investigations is essential in
preventing future damages.
3-16: Workload Planning

Practice Statement: Forecasting/planning for predictable workload
fluctuations is an integral part of all operating practices. A responsive plan is
developed for dealing with unpredictable fluctuations.
Practice Description: Facility owners/operators and/or their

representatives develop methods to sufficiently forecast and plan for future
workloads in order that ticket requests may be completed in a timely
manner. This will ensure that adequate personnel and equipment will be
available to complete all locate requests. It should be noted that this practice
does not involve limiting the number of locate requests from excavators.
3-17: The Located Area

Practice Statement: The Located Area is properly established and
identified on the Locate Form.
Practice Description: The Located Area shall be identified by a North,

South, East and West boundary and shall be outlined and labelled on the
sketch of the locate form. Fixed objects or measurements from fixed objects
such as building lines and curbs may be used to define the Located Area.
Where practicable, the Locator is expected to create limits that are at least
one metre from any additional facilities, creating a “buffer zone” around the
Located Area. In all cases, the scope and type of work to be performed
must be clearly understood by the Locator prior to establishing the Located
Area. Markings and sketched facilities shall not extend beyond the Located
Area either on the locate sheet or in the field.
3-18: Identification of Demarcation Point

Practice Statement – When applicable, the locator will indicate the
demarcation point of the facility owner’s plant on the locate sheet where this
point is not at the point of building entry. This position will be marked on
the locate sheet with a circled ‘DM’ symbol (as below).

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Practice Description - When locating and marking the underground plant of
the facility owner, the locator shall indicate the demarcation point of the
facility being located on the locate sheet. This symbol (as above) shall be
placed on top of, or as near as reasonable to, the actual physical demarcation
point of the facility being located. The demarcation point is the limit of utility
owned facilities. The excavator should be aware that customer or privately
owned facilities may exist beyond this point. The symbol and definition should
be clearly shown in the legend on the locate sheet.
3-19: Alternate Locate Agreements

Practice Statement: Alternate Locate Agreements (ALA’s) may be used
providing the Facility owner and Excavator agree on the terms and
conditions.
Practice Description: Alternate Locate Agreements (ALA’s) are contractual

agreements between a Facility owner and an Excavator that allows the
Excavator to proceed with their 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, thus reducing demand on existing
locate providers and eliminating wait times and administration for
Excavators. The details of such an agreement must be stated in writing and
available on the project for review upon request of the regulator, or Facility
owner’s representative. Such an agreement must be communicated in
writing as well to the JHSC or Health & Safety representative on the project
where applicable. It is the responsibility of the Excavator to ensure that all
Facility owners are requested to locate and mark their service. It is also the
Excavator’s responsibility to ensure that an ALA, where applicable and
implemented, will not impede any safe operations regarding the other
utilities not covered by that ALA and that the Health and Safety of the
workers and Public Safety are safeguarded at all times. It is the Excavator’s
duty to ensure that the excavation work is carried out in compliance with
the legislative requirements and in accordance with the ALA as stipulated
between the Excavator and the Facility owner in question when and where
applicable. It is the Facility owner’s duty to ensure that the ALA terms and
conditions will provide a level of safety equivalent to the standard locate
process.
3-20: Marking of Newly Installed Facilities

Practice Statement: Markings are placed immediately after construction
to identify the location of newly installed facilities.
Practice Description: Newly installed facilities are often at risk as

Locators and Excavators may not be aware of the recent installation,
especially if the installation has taken place immediately before or after the

1.0 – October 2016
2014 47
completion of a locate. Markings such as paint and or special flags warning
that new facilities have been installed should be placed as soon as the
construction is completed. This practice increases the chances of the
Excavator or Locator being made aware of the installation which can reduce
the chances of the facilities being damaged.
3-21: Requirements for a Valid Locate

Practice Statement: A valid locate requires that the marks on the
ground are sufficient for the purpose required; there is a completed locate
report by an authorized party; the conditions of the locate have not
changed; and the locate has not expired.
Practice Description: The primary components of a locate, except in

the case of a clearance or alternate locate agreement (ALA), are the marks
on the ground and the corresponding locate report that together correctly
identify the position of underground infrastructure. For a locate to be valid
the marks must be preserved and be sufficiently observable for their
intended purpose. Since it is the owner’s responsibility to mark its
underground infrastructure and issue appropriate instructions, warnings and
limitations to the excavating party, a locate is not considered to be valid
unless it has been issued by the owner or a party authorized to act on the
owner’s behalf. For each portion of area to be excavated, the marking
process must be complete and the located area defined and documented in
the form of a locate report for that portion of the locate to be considered
valid. If circumstances occur that cause a change after the locate report
has been issued, such as the introduction of new underground infrastructure
within the located area, or if a surface feature used for offset measurements
is altered, those portions of the located area affected by the change are no
longer considered valid. The validity of the locate expires as stated on the
locate report. A locate report must contain sufficient information and
instructions so that parties relying on it will be able to correctly interpret the
marks in the field and identify the limits of the located area. Locate reports
are usually generated by using templates or pre-printed forms and it may
not always be possible or appropriate to complete every part of these forms.
However, except in the case of a clearance or ALA, the following minimum
information is necessary for the locate to be considered valid:
• Name of the party who requested the locate
• Address or coordinates of the excavation site
• Request number or unique identifier of the locate
• Limits of the located area
• Underground infrastructure marked or cleared
• Method of marking
• Locate sketch

1.0 – October 2016
2014
• Date that the locate report is issued
• Date or period after which the locate will expire
• Total number of pages issued
• Name or ID# of the party issuing the locate report
Validity of the locate is also affected by one or more of the following

conditions:
1. Marks on the ground conflict with the locate report – if the marks on the
ground do not match the sketch or other information contained in the locate
report then that portion within the located area affected by this condition is
no longer valid.
2. Discovery of an error – if there is an error or omission that affects the

accuracy, identification or interpretation of the marks then that portion
within the located area affected by this condition is no longer valid.
3. Unlocated underground infrastructure – the presence of underground

infrastructure that has not been marked or cannot be marked until it is
found by excavation creates a circumstance where the limits of the located
area should be adjusted to exclude the portion of area affected by this
condition. If this is not done then that portion within the located area
affected by this condition is no longer valid.
4. Clearances – in situations where a dig area is clear of an owner’s

underground infrastructure there will be no marks on the ground and a valid
locate requires only a locate report in the form of a written statement to this
effect.
5. Alternate Locate Agreement – in situations where an ALA has been issued

there will be no marks on the ground and a valid locate requires only that
the conditions for the ALA have been met and the ALA has not expired.
QualityAssurance
3-22: Quality Assurance
Practice Statement: Underground facility owners/operators should have a
Quality Assurance (QA) program in place for assessing the accuracy of
locating and marking facilities.
Practice Description: The process of conducting QA audits on locates is a

critical component to the protection of underground facilities. The
recommended components listed below are meant to provide general
guidelines for auditing the work of locators. The QA program is a valuable
component in the damage investigation process.
• Conduct random field audits
• Check accuracy of markings against minimum tolerances
• Check accuracy and completeness of the locate report

1.0 – October 2016
2014 49
• Measure timeliness as defined by Regulations.
• Check the legibility of the completed locate report
• Verify the most up-to-date records were used to complete the locate
• Check evidence of communication with the excavator when required
(e.g. altering dig area)
• Communicate results of the audit to applicable personnel
• Analyze audit results for trends

1.0 – October 2016
2014
4-0 Excavation Best Practices
4 Excavation
4-0 Excavation Best Practices
4-1: One-Call Facility Locate Request
Practice Statement: The excavator requests the location of underground
facilities at each site by notifying the facility owner/operator through the
one-call system. Unless otherwise specified in law, the excavator contacts
calls the
the one-call
one-call center
center at least
at least fourfive working
working days
days prior
prior to beginning
to beginning excavation
excavation
procedures.
Practice Description: Increased
Increased participation
participation in
in aa one-call
one-call notification
notification
system provides for improved communication between excavators and
system provides for improved communication between excavators and
facility operators necessary to reduce damage.
facility operators necessary to reduce damage.
To
To avoid
avoid unnecessary
unnecessary waste
wasteofofresources,
resources,a aproject
projectand/or portion
and/or of the
portion of the
work
work for
for which
which aalocate
locatehas
hasbeen
beenrequested
requestedforforand
andnotnot
yetyet
provided,
provided,hashas
been
been cancelled,
cancelled, deferred
deferred for
foran
anextended
extendedperiod
periodofoftime,
time,oror
just altered
just in in
altered
the
the queue
queue ofof execution,
execution, then
then that
that locate
locate request
request should
should bebe cancelled.
cancelled.
4-2: Privately Owned Facility Awareness

Practice Statement -- Prior
Practice Statement Prior to excavating, the
to excavating, excavator must
the excavator must bebe aware
aware
that
that privately
privately owned
owned buried
buried facilities
facilities may
may exist
exist within
within the
the work
work area
area and
and
should request the
should request the private
private facility
facility owner
owner (e.g.
(e.g. landowner)
landowner) to
to locate
locate his/her
his/her
underground
facilities.
Practice Description -- Privately
Practice Description Privately owned underground facilities
owned underground may not
facilities may not be
be
marked by representatives of the public facility owners
marked by representatives of the public facility owners beyond thebeyond the
demarcation point
demarcation point of
of each
each facility (e.g. Private
facility (e.g. Private Property).
Property). The
The private
private facility
facility
owner is
owner is responsible
responsible for
for identifying
identifying the
the location
location ofof these
these buried
buried facilities.
facilities.
Identification activities
Identification activities may
may include,
include, but
but are
are not
not limited
limited to:
to: provision
provision of of
maps, provision of engineering drawings from previous workings
maps, provision of engineering drawings from previous workings and/or and/or
retaining
retaining or
or authorizing the deployment
authorizing the deployment of of aa private
private locator.
locator.
4-3: White Lining

Practice Statement: As
Practice Statement: When the excavation
a method sitedamages
of reducing cannot betoclearly and
underground
adequately identified on the locate ticket, the excavator designates
infrastructure, pre-marking of the boundaries of the work area using white the
route and/or
paint or area to(or
equivalent bealternate
excavated usingduring
colour white the
pre-marking
winter as prior
notedtoonthe
the
arrival of the locator
locate request) by the excavator should be completed prior to locating.
Note:
PracticeElectronic or virtualThe
Description: pre-marking
route of the can be an alternative.
excavation is marked with white
paint, flags,Description:
Practice stakes, or a combination
The route ofofthethese to outlineisthe
excavation dig site
marked prior
with to
white
notifying the stakes,
paint, flags, one-callorand before the locator
a combination arrives
of these on thethe
to outline job.
digPre-marking
site prior to
allows thethe
notifying excavators
one-call to
andaccurately
before the communicate
locator arrivesto facility
on theowners/operators
job. Pre-marking
or their locator where excavation is to occur. The
allows the excavators to accurately communicate to facility 1997 safetyowners/
study
“ProtectingorPublic
operators their Safety
locatorthrough Excavation isDamage
where excavation to occur.Prevention”
The 1997 by the
safety
NTSB reached
study “Protectingthe Public
conclusion that
Safety pre-marking
through is a practice
Excavation Damagethat helps prevent
Prevention” by
excavation damage.
the NTSB reached the conclusion that pre-marking is a practice that helps
prevent excavation damage.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 51
4-4: Locate Reference Number
Practice Statement: The excavator receives and maintains a reference
number from the one-call center that verifies the locate was requested.
Practice Description: All calls from excavators processed by the one-call

center receive a unique message reference number, which is contained on
all locate request messages. The excavator records this number; it is proof
of notification to the members. The computer generated request identifies
the date, time, and sequence number of the locate request.
Each locate request ticket (notification) is assigned a unique number with

that one-call center, the requestor and the facility owner/operator. This
number separates this ticket from all other tickets so that it can be archived
and recalled upon request with the details of that request only.
4-5: Pre-Excavation Meeting

Practice Statement: When necessary, the excavator or the locator may
request a pre-excavating meeting at the jobsite just prior to the actual
marking of facility locations. Such pre-excavating meetings are important for
major, or unusual, excavations.
Practice Description: The meeting will facilitate communications,
coordinate the marking with actual excavation, and assure identification of
high priority facilities. An on-site pre-excavation meeting between the
excavator, the facility owners/operators and locators (where applicable) is
recommended on major or large projects. This include projects such as
road, sewer, water, or other projects that cover a large area, progress from
one area to the next, or that are located near critical or high priority
facilities. Potential facilities include, but are not limited to, high-pressure
gas, high voltage electric, fibre optic communication, and major pipe or
water lines.
4-6: Facility Relocations

Practice Statement: The excavator coordinates work with the affected
facility owner/operator and the project owner where temporary or
permanent interruption of a facility owner/operator’s service is required.
Practice Description: Any temporary or permanent interruption requires

the active participation by the facility owner/operator and the excavator to
ensure protection of facilities through a joint preplanning meeting or
conference calls.
4-7: Locate Requests

Practice Statement: Every excavator on the job has an appropriate locate
form before excavating.
Practice Description: Often, there are several excavators on a job site

performing work. The construction schedule may dictate different types of

1.0 – October 2016
2014
work requiring excavation from different specialty contractors simultaneously.
It is preferable for each excavator to obtain their own individual locate before
excavating to ensure that the specific areas have been appropriately marked
by any affected underground facility owner/ operator. However, where a
single locate is relied upon by multiple users on the same project, it is the
responsibility of the excavator to ensure that the locate is appropriate for the
intended excavation, giving due consideration to the limits of the located
area, depth of excavation, ticket life, and the existence of any facilities
installed since the locate was performed.
4-8: One-Call Access (24x7)

Practice Statement: The excavator has access to the one-call centre 24
hours per day, 7 days a week (24x7).
Practice Description: Utilities service the public needs 24x7 and thus
should be protected the same amount of time. Certain conditions exist
which require excavators to work during off-hours (city/road congestion, off
peak utility service hours). While most excavators are on the job site during
regular work hours, the ability to call in future
access work
(phone, locations
internet, after methods)
or other five p.m.
allows
in more
future workflexibility
locationsto after
schedule work,allows
five p.m. not tomore
mention getting
flexibility to around
schedule peak
hours not
work, of locate requests
to mention at the
getting one-call
around center.
peak hours of locate requests at the
one-call center.
4-9: Positive Response
4-9: Positive Response
Practice Statement: The excavator is notified in writing by the
Practice Statement:
underground The excavatorofisthe
facility owner/operator notified in writing
tolerance zone byof the
underground facility owner/operator
by marking, flagging, of theortolerance zone of the
other acceptable methods at
underground
the work site facility
shown by on marking, flagging,
a locate sheet or other
provided acceptable
to the excavator,methods
or is at
the workverbally
notified site shown
and on a locateifsheet
in writing, provided
possible, that anto the
“all excavator, or is exists.
clear” situation
notified
This verbally
takes place and
withinin three
writing, if possible,
working days that annotification
of the “all clear” situation exists.
to the facility
This takes place of
owner/operator within three working
the locate request or days of the notification
a mutually agreed upon to the
date facility
owner/operator
between of the
the locator locate
and request or a mutually agreed upon date
the excavator.
between the locator and the excavator.
Practice Description: If the one-call centre or a facility owner/operator
determines that the excavation or demolition
If the one-call centreisornot near any
a facility of its existing
owner/operator
underground
determines that facilities, it notifiesor
the excavation the excavatoristhat
demolition not nonearconflict
any ofexists and that
its existing
the excavationfacilities,
underground or demolition areathe
it notifies is “clear.” Thisthat
excavator notification
no conflictfrom the and
exists One-
Call
that Centre or the facility
the excavation owner/operator
or demolition will include
area is “clear.” Thisanotification
written “all from
clear”the
response. If an excavator
One-Call Centre has knowledge
or the facility owner/operatorof thewill
existence
include of an underground
a written “all
facility and has received
clear” response. an “all clear,”
If an excavator response, of
has knowledge the excavator
the existenceshould
of an notify
underground
the facility and
One-Call Centre and the
hasfacility
received an “all clear,”ifresponse,
owner/operator known, that the aexcavator
conflict
should
does notifyexist.
indeed the One-Call CentreCentre
The One-Call and theandfacility owner/operator
the facility owner/operatorif known,
that a conflict
should does indeed
make marking theseexist. TheaOne-Call
facilities Centreexcavation
priority before and the facility
begins.owner/
operator should make marking these facilities a priority before excavation
Positive response is a term used to describe the two types of action to be
begins.
taken by a facility owner/operator after it has received notification of intent
Positive
to response is a term used to describe the two types of action to be
excavate.
taken by a facility owner/operator after it has received notification of intent
to excavate.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 53
The facility owner/operator is required to 1) mark its underground facilities
with stakes, paint or flags or 2) notify the excavator that the facility
owner/operator has no underground facilities in the area of excavation. This
process allows the excavator to begin work on time or in a timely manner.
The excavator should maintain written records of all locates requested and
received.
4-10: Facility Owner/Operator Failure to Respond

Practice Statement: If the facility owner/operator fails to respond to the
excavator’s timely request for a locate (e.g. within the time specified by
provincial requirements) or if the facility owner/operator notifies the
excavator that the underground facility cannot be marked within the time
frame and a mutually agreeable date for marking cannot be arrived at, the
excavator re-calls the one-call center. The one-call center contacts the
facility owner/operator to ascertain the nature of the delay and heightens
the locate status to an overdue locate. Where practicable, the facility
owner/ operator will respond with the locate and supporting
documentation within 2 hours.
Practice Description: It is determined that the facility owner/operator and

the excavator will partner together to ensure facilities are marked in an
acceptable time frame to allow for underground facility protection.
4-11: Locate Verification

Practice Statement: Prior to excavation, excavators verify the limits of the
locate markings correspond with the limits of the proposed excavation. The
excavator, to the best of their ability, checks for readily visible, unmarked
facilities. If a locate is found to be incomplete, inaccurate, or any other
discrepancies are found, the excavator may call the locator directly. If the
locate is not corrected within 4 hours, the excavator can escalate the locate
to the One Call Center as an overdue locate.
Practice Description: Upon arrival at the excavation site prior to beginning

the excavation, the excavator ensures that the limits of the locate are clearly
identified on the locate. The excavator verifies that all facilities have been
marked, reviewing colour codes if in doubt. The excavator checks for readily
visible signs of underground facilities, such as pedestals, risers, meters, new
trench lines and service feeds from buildings and homes. Where readily visible
evidence of unmarked facilities exists, the excavator contacts the project
owner to get them located. Use of a pre-excavation checklist is recommended
by insurers and practiced by responsible excavating contractors.
4-12: Work Site Review with Company Personnel

Practice Statement: Prior to starting work, the excavator reviews the
location of underground facilities with site personnel. Any locate
documentation is kept on the project site.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Practice Description: Sharing information and safety issues during an on-
site meeting between the excavator and his excavating crews will help to
avoid confusion and needless damage to underground facilities.
4-13: Contact Names and Numbers

Practice Statement: The excavator’s designated competent person at
each job site has access to the names and phone numbers of all facility
owner/ operator contacts and the one-call center. Such names and numbers
shall be displayed on the locate sheet.
Practice Description: Situations arise on the job site that require

immediate notification of the facility owner/operator, one-call center or local
emergency personnel. To avoid costly delays, the excavator ensures the
designated job site personnel have all appropriate names and phone
numbers.
4-14: Facility Avoidance

Practice Statement: The excavator uses reasonable care to avoid
damaging underground facilities.
Practice Description: Foremost on any construction project is safety.

Excavators using caution around underground facilities significantly
contribute to safe excavation of existing facilities.
4-15: Federal and Provincial Regulations

Practice Statement: The excavator adheres to all applicable federal and
provincial occupational health and safety legislation and regulations.
Practice Description: It is important to include reference to worker safety

and training in the best practices. Excavators are required to comply with
federal and provincial occupational safety and health requirements to protect
employees from injury and illness. These regulations include reference to
training each employee in how to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions and
the regulations applicable to his/her work environment to control or eliminate
any hazards or exposures to illness or injury. Therefore, the excavator’s crew,
as part of its safety training, is informed of regulations applicable to the
protection of underground facilities, workers and the public.
4-16: Marking Preservation

Practice Statement: The excavator, where practical, protects and
preserves the staking, marking, or other designations for underground
facilities until no longer required for proper and safe excavation. The
excavator stops excavating and notifies the one-call center for re-marks if
any facility mark is removed or no longer visible.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 55
Practice Description: During long complex projects, the marks for
underground During
facilities may needlong
to becomplex
in placeprojects, thethan
far longer marks
thefor
locating
Practice
underground Description:
facilities During
may needlong
to complex
be in place projects, thethan
far longer marks
the for
method is durable. Paint, staking and other marking techniques lastlocating
only as
underground
Practice facilities may
isDescription: needlong
to be in place far longer than the locating
method
long as the durable. and During
weatherPaint, staking
other and complex
variables other projects,
marking
allow. a the
Whentechniques
markmarks for
last
is no only as
longer
method isDescription:
underground
long as but
Practice the durable.
weather Paint,
facilities may
and staking
need
other
During and
to be
variables
long other
in marking
place
allow.
complex far
When techniques
longer
projects,a thethan
mark last
isthe
no
marks only as
locating
longer
for
visible, work continues around the facility, the excavator requests a re-
long
methodas
visible, the
is
but
underground weather
durable.
work and
Paint,
continues
facilities other variables
staking
around
may need and
the allow.
other When
marking
facility, the a mark is
techniques
excavator no longer
last
requests only as
a re-
mark to ensure the protection of to
thebefacility.
in place far longer than the locating
visible,
long as but
the
mark to is
method work
ensure continues
weather and
the Paint,
durable. around
other
protection the
variables
of the
staking facility,
allow.
andfacility. the
Whenexcavator
a mark requests
is no a
longer
other marking techniques last only as re-
4-17:
mark
visible,
long as Excavation
tobut
ensure
the workthe
continues
weather Observer
protection of
around
and other the
thefacility.
variables facility,
allow. the
Whenexcavator
a mark requests
is no longera re-
4-17:
mark tobut
visible, Excavation
ensure
workthe continues Observer
protection of the
around thefacility.
facility, the excavator requests
Practice Statement:
4-17: Excavation The excavator
Observer has an observer to assist the a re-
mark to ensure
Practice
equipment the protection
Statement:
operator whenTheoperatingof the excavation
excavator facility.
has an observerequipment to assist
aroundthe known
4-17:
PracticeExcavation
Statement: TheObserver
excavatorexcavation
has an observer to assist the known
equipment operator
underground facilities. when operating equipment around
4-17:
equipment
Practice Excavation
operator
Statement:
underground facilities. whenTheObserver
operating
excavator excavation
has an equipment
observer to around
assist the known
Practice
underground
equipment Description:
facilities. The observerexcavation
is a workerequipment
who is watching the
Practice Statement: The excavator has an observer to assist the known
operator when operating around
Practice
excavation Description:
activity to warnThethe observer
equipment is a worker
operator who
whileis watching
excavating thearound
underground
equipment facilities.
operator when operating excavation equipment around the known
Practice
excavation Description:
activity to warnThe observer
the equipment is a worker
operator who
whileis watching
excavating around
a utility to prevent damaging that buried facility. This is common practice
underground
excavation
Practice facilities.
activity to warnThethe equipment operator while excavating thearound
among toDescription:
a utility excavators
prevent damaging
and large observer
that
facilityburiedis afacility.
worker
owners/operators. who
This isiscommon
watching practice
a utility excavators
excavation
among
Practice toDescription:
prevent damaging
activity and
to warnThethe
large that buried
equipment
facility
observer is afacility.
operator
owners/operators.
worker This isiscommon
while
who excavating
watching practice
thearound
4-18:
among
a utility toExcavation
excavators
prevent and
damaging Tolerance
large facility
that buried Zone
owners/operators.
facility. This
excavation activity to warn the equipment operator while excavating around is common practice
4-18:
among
a toExcavation
utility excavators
prevent and Tolerance
large
damaging facility Zone
owners/operators.
that buried facility. This is common practice
Practice
4-18: Statement:
Excavation The excavator
Tolerance observes
Zone a tolerance zone which is
among
comprised excavators
Practice Statement: and
of the width The large facility
1 excavator
ofTolerance
metre from owners/operators.
observes a tolerance
the centerline zone which
of a located cableis or
4-18:
Practice Excavation
Statement: The excavator Zone
observes a tolerance zone which
comprised
conduit andof1the width
metre fromof 1 metre
either from
side centerline
of the outside edgeof aoflocated
the cableis or
4-18:
comprised
Practice
conduit and
Excavation
of the
Statement: width
1facility
metre on of
The
from
Tolerance
1 metre
excavator
either from Zone
the
observes
sideplane.
of centerline
theThis apractice
outside of
tolerance a
edgeisofnotlocated
zone cableis or
which
theintended
underground a horizontal to
conduit
comprised and
underground
Practice any of 1 metre
the width
facility
Statement: from
on of
a either
1 metre
horizontal
The excavator side
fromof
plane.the outside
centerline
This
observes edge of the
a tolerance zone which is or
practice of a
is located
not cable
intended to
pre-empt existing provincial or federal requirements.
underground
conduit and
pre-empt any
comprised 1facility
of themetre
existingon
froma horizontal
either
widthprovincial
of 1 metre side plane.
or fromof
federalthe This practice
outside
therequirements.
centerline edgeofisaofnot
theintended
located cabletoor
Practice
pre-empt Description:
any existing (See Practice
provincial or Description
federal for #4-19 following.)
requirements.
underground
conduit and facility on
1 metre from a horizontal
either plane.
side of This
the outside practice is not intended to
Practice Description: (See Practice Description foredge
#4-19 of the
following.)
pre-empt any facility
existingonprovincial or federal requirements.
4-19: Excavation
underground
Practice Description: within
a(See
horizontal
PracticeTolerance
plane. Zone
This practice
Description for #4-19 is not intended to
following.)
pre-emptExcavation
4-19:
Practice any existing provincial
Description: within
(See orTolerance
Practice federal Zone
requirements.
Description for #4-19 following.)
PracticeExcavation
4-19: Statement: When within excavation
Toleranceis to takeZone place within the specified
Practice
Practice
tolerance Description:
Statement:
zone, the (See Practice
When
excavator excavation
exercises Description
such takefor
is to reasonable #4-19
place carefollowing.)
within asthe
may specified
be
4-19:
Practice Excavation
Statement: within
When Tolerance
excavation is to take Zone
place within the specified
tolerance zone,
necessary for the the excavatorofexercises
protection such reasonable
any underground facility in care as may
or near thebe
4-19:
tolerance
Practice Excavation
zone,
necessaryStatement:
for thethe within
excavator
When
protection
Tolerance
exercises
excavation such
is toon take Zone
reasonable care
placeclimate
within asthe
may be
specified
excavation area. Methods to of any underground
consider, based facility
certain in or nearor the
necessary
tolerance for
zone, the
excavationStatement:
area. theprotection
excavator
Methods of any underground
exercises
to consider, such facility
reasonable in or near
care asvacuum the
ormay be
Practice
geographical conditions, When
include: hand based
excavation is toon
digging takecertain
when place climate
within
practical, the specified
excavation
necessary
geographical
tolerance zone,area.
for the Methods
protection
conditions,
the excavator to consider,
of
include: anyhand
exercises based
underground
digging
suchotheron certain
facility
when
reasonable climate
in
practical,or
care as or
near the
vacuum
may bewith
excavation methods, pneumatic hand tools, mechanical methods
geographical
excavation
excavation
necessary conditions,
area.
methods,
for Methods include:
pneumaticto hand
consider,
hand digging
based
tools, on
otherwhen practical,
certain climate
mechanical vacuum
or the with
methods
the approval ofthe
theprotection
facility of any underground
owner/operator, or facility
other in or near
technical that
excavation
geographical
the approval
excavation methods,
conditions,
of
area. the pneumatic
facility
Methods include: hand
hand
owner/operator,
to consider, tools,
digging
based other
oron when
othermechanical
practical,
technical
certain climate methods
vacuum
methods
or with
that
may be developed. Hand digging and non-invasive methods are not required
the approval
excavation
maypavement of
be developed.
geographical the Hand
methods, facility
conditions,pneumatic owner/operator,
digging
include: hand tools,
and non-invasive
hand digging or other
otherwhen technical
mechanical
methods
practical, methods
are that
with
not required
vacuum
for removal.
may
the
for be developed.
approval
pavement
excavation the Hand
ofremoval.
methods, facility digging
pneumatic and non-invasive
owner/operator,
hand tools, or other
other methods
technicalare
mechanical not required
methods
methods that
with
Practice
for
may pavement
be Description:
developed.removal.
Hand Safe, prudent,
digging and non-invasivemethods
non-invasive methods are thatnotmanually
required
the approval of the facility owner/operator, or other technical methods that
Practice
expose Description:
a facility Safe, prudent,
are considered non-invasive
“safe excavation methodsSome
practices”. that manually
guides for
for
may pavement
be developed. removal.
HandSafe,digging and non-invasive methods are
Practice
expose Description: prudent, non-invasive methodsSome thatnot required
manually
excavation in the vicinity of utilities specifically allow for the use of guides
a facility are considered “safe excavation practices”. power for
for pavement
expose a facilityremoval.
Practice
excavation
excavating in theare
Description:
equipment
considered
forSafe,
vicinity ofthe “safe
prudent,
utilities
removal
excavation
non-invasive
specifically
of pavement
practices”.
allow methods
for the
and
Some
that
use
sidewalk
guides
manually
ofbut
power
not
for
excavation
expose
excavatinga in the
facility vicinity
are
equipment of
considered
forSafe, utilities
“safe
the removal specifically
excavation
of pavement allow for the
practices”. use
Some of power
guides
not for
Practice
curbs Description:
or base materials. prudent,
Differing geologic conditionsand
non-invasive andsidewalk
methods thatbut
weather manually
related
excavating
excavation
curbs ormust
expose abaseequipment
in be
the
facilitymaterials.
are for
vicinity the removal
ofconsideration
utilities
Differing
considered of
geologic
“safe pavement
specifically allow
conditions
excavation and
for
and sidewalk
the
practices”. use
weather
Some but not for
of guides
power
related
factors taken into when using types of excavation
curbs
factors or
excavating
excavation base
must in bematerials.
equipment
thetaken forDiffering
into
vicinity ofthe geologic
removal
consideration
utilities conditions
of pavement usingand
when allow
specifically and
types
for theweather
sidewalk
of
use related
ofbut not
excavation
power
within the tolerance zone.
factors
curbs ormust
base be
within the tolerance
excavating taken
materials.
equipment into
zone. consideration
Differing geologic when using
conditions types
and
for the removal of pavement and sidewalk but not of
weatherexcavation
related
within
factors
curbs or the
musttolerance
base be takenzone.
materials. into consideration
Differing geologicwhen using and
conditions typesweather
of excavation
related
factors must be taken into consideration when using types of excavation

Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
– October 2014
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
Version 2.0
1.0 Alliance
– October 2016
2014
56
56 Best Practices
Common – October
Ground 2014
Alliance
56 Best Practices Version 1.0 – October
Canadian Common Ground Alliance 2014
4-20: Unidentified Facilities
4-20: Unidentified Facilities
PracticeUnidentified
4-20: Statement: TheFacilities
excavator notifies the facility owner/operator
Practice
directly orStatement: The excavator
through the one-call systemnotifies the facility owner/operator
if an inaccurately marked or
Practice
directly orStatement:
through the The excavator
one-call system notifies
if an the facility owner/operator
inaccurately marked or the
unidentified underground facility is found. Following this notification,
directly or
unidentifiedthrough the
underground one-call
facilitysystem if
is found. an inaccurately
Following this marked or the
notification,
excavator may continue work if the excavation can be performed without
unidentified
excavator underground facility is found. Following this notification, the
damaging may continue work if the excavation can be performed without
the facility.
excavator may continue
damaging the facility. work if the excavation can be performed without
damaging the facility. When an excavator finds an inaccurately marked or
unidentified When an
facility, excavation excavator
stops finds anofinaccurately
in the vicinity marked or
the facility and
unidentified facility, When an
excavation excavator
stops in the finds anofinaccurately
vicinity the facility marked or
and
notification takes place. If excavation continues, the excavator plans the
unidentified
notification facility,
takes excavation
place. stops in
If excavation the vicinity
continues, the ofexcavator
the facility and the
plans
excavation to avoid damage and interference with other facilities and
notification
excavation takes
to avoidplace. If excavation
damage and continues,
interference the
with excavator
other plans
facilities andthe
protects facilities from damage.
excavation to avoid damage
protects facilities from damage. and interference with other facilities and
protects facilities from damage.
4-21: Exposed Facility Protection

4-21: Exposed Facility Protection
PracticeExposed
4-21: Statement: Excavators
Facility support and protect exposed
Protection
Practice
underground Statement:
facilities fromExcavators
damagesupport and those and methods
protect exposed
comply with the
Practice
underground Statement:
facilities Excavators
from damage
damage. support
and and methods
those protect exposed
comply with the
requirements set by the infrastructure owners.
underground
requirements facilities
set by the from damage. owners.
infrastructure
Practice Description: Protection of exposed underground facilities is as
Practice
important as preventing Protection
Description: Protection
damage of
oftheexposed
exposed underground
underground facilities
facilities is as
is as
damage.to Protecting facility when digging
exposed underground aroundfacilities
the
important
important
utility. as
as preventing
preventing damage
damage. to the
Protecting facility when
exposed digging
underground around the
facilities
helps toProtecting
ensure that exposed underground
the utility is not damaged facilities andhelps to insure
as the same time that the
utility.
helps
utility isProtecting
to ensure
not damaged exposed
that the
and underground
utility
atintheis not
same facilities
damaged
time andhelps
protect as to insure
the
employeessameworking that thein
time
protect employees working the vicinity of the exposed facility. Exposed
utility
protect is not damaged
employees and at
workingfacility. the
inorthe same time protect employees working in
the vicinity
facilities canofshift,
the exposed
separate, be vicinity
damaged of thewhenexposed
they are facility.
no longer Exposed
the vicinity
facilities can of the exposed facility.
supported or shift, separate,
protected by the or soil
be damaged
around them. whenExcavators
they are no longeror
support
Exposed facilities can shift, separate, or be damaged when they are no
supported
brace facilities
Exposed or protected
andcan
facilities by
protect the
shift,them soil around
from moving
separate, them. Excavators
or shifting. This support
canarebeor
longer supported or protected by the or soilbe damaged
around them. when they
Excavators no
support
brace facilities
accomplished
longer supported and
in protect
different them
ways, from
for moving
example, or
by shifting.
shoring This
the can
facility befrom
or brace exposed or protected
facilities and by the soil
protect themaroundfrom them.
moving Excavators
or shiftingsupport which
accomplished
below
or brace or exposed in different
by providing facilities ways,
adequate
and for
protect example,
support. themWorkersby shoring
from are
movingalsothe facility
instructed
or shifting from
not to
which
could result in damage to the facility. This can be accomplished in different
below or by
climb on, strike,
could providing adequate
or attempt support.
to facility.
move facilities Workers
canwhile are also
exposed. instructed not to
ways, result in damage
for example, to the
by shoring the facility Thisfrom be
belowaccomplished
or by providing in different
a
climb
ways, on, strike, or attempt to move facilities while exposed.
4-22:for
timber example,
Relocate
support withby shoringacross
Request
hangers the facility
the top from below
of an or by providing
excavation to insureathat
4-22:
timber
the facilityRelocate
support
doeswith Request
not hangers
move or across
bend. In theaddition,
top of an excavation
workers to insure that
are instructed not
Practice
the facility Statement:
does not moveThe orexcavator
bend. In calls the
addition, Provincial
workers One
are Call Center
instructed notto
to climb on,
Practice strike, or attempt to movecalls exposed facilities One which could
request a Statement:
relocate ticketThe excavator
based on the validity theperiod
Provincialof the locate. Call Center
The to
to climb on,
damage strike, coatings;
or attemptbend to move exposed facilities which could
locate aprotective
requestvalidity relocate
periodticket basedto
is critical conduit;
onallthe validity
parties separate
in period of
protecting pipethe joints;
locate.
underground damage
The
damage
cable protective
insulation; coatings;
damage fibre bend conduit;
optics; or in separate
some way pipe
affectjoints;
the damage of
integrity
locate validity
facilities. periodvalidity
The locate is critical to allisparties
period determinedin protecting underground
by the facility owner and
cable
the insulation; damage fibre optics; or in some way affect the integrity of
facility.
facilities.
is suggested Theto locate
be invalidity
30 calendarperiodday is determined
increments by from thedate
facility
theownerlocate andwas
the facility.
is suggested
completed asto be inon
noted 30thecalendar
locate day sheet. increments
The facility from datewill
owner theclearly
locate was
completed
identify theas notedand
length on conditions
the locate of sheet. The facility
the validity period owner
of the willlocate,
clearlyunless
identify
4-22: the
otherwiseRelocate length and
specified byRequest conditions of the validity period
provincial or federal law. If the excavation is not of the locate, unless
4-22:
otherwise Relocate
specified by Request
provincial or federal law.
completed according to the validity period and corresponding conditions, If the excavation is not
Practice
completed Statement:
according toThe
the excavator
validity calls and
period the corresponding
Provincial One conditions,
Call Center to
the excavator
Practice must call
Statement: theexcavator
The One Call Centre
calls the forProvincial
a relocate. OneOne Callutility
Center
request
the a
excavator relocate ticket
must call based
the One on the
Call to validity
Centre period
for of
a relocate. the locate.
One The to
utility
should
request be
a identified
relocate per
ticket locate
based sheet
on the avoid
validity congestion
period of and
the address
locate. The
locate
should validity
be periodper
identified is critical to all parties
locate sheet to avoidincongestion
protecting and underground
address
variablevalidity
locate locate validityisperiods.
period critical to all parties in protecting underground
facilities.
variable locateThe locate
validityvalidity
periods. period is determined by the facility owner and
facilities.
is suggested Theto locate
be invalidity
30 calendarperiodday is determined
increments by from thedate
facility
the owner
locate andwas
is suggested to be in 30 calendar day increments
completed as noted on the locate sheet. The facility owner will clearly from date the locate was
completed
identify theas notedand
length on conditions
the locate of sheet. The facility
the validity period ownerof thewilllocate,
clearlyunless
identify the length and conditions of the validity
otherwise specified by provincial or federal law. If the excavation is not period of the locate, unless
otherwise specified by provincial or federal law. If the excavation is not
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
– October 2014
1.0 – October 2016
2014 57
should
variablebe identified
locate perperiods.
validity locate sheet to avoid congestion and address
variable locate validity periods.
Practice Description: Requesting a locate or refreshing the locate ticket
Practice
recognizesDescription:
that markingsRequesting
are temporary a locate
and or refreshing
provides the locate
notification ticket
to facility
recognizes
Practice that markings
Description:
owners/operators of ongoingare temporary
Requesting and
a locate
excavation when provides
or job isnotification
arefreshing the locate
requested to started
to facility
ticket
owners/operators
recognizes that of ongoing
markings are excavation
temporary when
and a job
provides
or has not been completed as planned. Any excavation that covers a large is requested
notification to
to started
facility
or hasand
area notwill
been
owners/operators completed
from as
of ongoing
progress planned.
area to Any
excavation
one when
the excavation
nexta job that
overisarequestedcovers
period of to astarted
time large
is
area
or and
has not
broken will
intobeenprogress from
completed
segments one area
as planned.
as agreed to
to between the next
Any excavationover
the excavator,a period of
that facility time
covers a large is
broken
area into
owner/operator segments
and will progress as
and/orfrom agreed to
one area
the locator between
to theto
in order the
next excavator,
over a period
coordinate facility
of timewith
the marking is
owner/operator
broken and/or
into segments
actual excavation. Theas the locator
agreed
possibility to in order
thattonew
between
exists coordinate
the facilitiesthe
excavator, marking
been with
facility
have
actual excavation.
owner/operator
installed in the area The
and/or possibility
the the
where locator exists that
in order
excavation istonew befacilities
tocoordinate
conducted have
the been
marking
after thewith
installed
actual in the
originalexcavation. area
notificationThe where the
andpossibility excavation is to be conducted
marking. exists that new facilities have been after the
original notification
installed in the areaand wheremarking.
the excavation is to be conducted after the
original notification and marking.
Many facility owners/operators do not perform their own locates and utilize
Many facilityof
the services owners/operators
a contracted facility do not perform
locator. Thesetheir own locates
contracted andlocators
facility utilize
Many
the facility of
services owners/operators
a contracted do not
facility perform
locator. Thesetheir own locates
contracted andlocators
facility utilize
may not be aware of work planned in the near future. By excavators
the
may services
not bethe of a contracted
aware of ticket, facility locator.
work planned These
in thelocator
near contracted
future. facility locators
By excavators
refreshing locate the contract has another opportunity to
may not
refreshing be aware
the placed of work
locate ticket, planned
theThis in
contract the near
locator future. By excavators
identify newly facilities. practice alsohas
givesanother opportunity to
the facility
refreshing
identify the placed
newly locate ticket, theThis
facilities. contract locator
practice also has
givesanother
the opportunity to
facility
owner/operator another chance to identify the location of their facilities and
identify newly placed
owner/operator another facilities.
chance Thisidentify
practicethe also gives the facility
to avoid a possible damage and to
disruption of location
service of their
should facilities have
something and
owner/operator
to avoid a possibleanother
damage chance to identify
and disruption the location
of service of their facilities
should something have and
been marked incorrectly or missed on a previous locate.
to avoid
been a possible
marked damage
incorrectly and disruption
or missed of service
on a previous should something have
locate.
been marked incorrectly or missed on a previous locate.
4-23: Facility Damage Notification

4-23: Facility Damage Notification
4-23:
PracticeFacility Damage
Statement: Notification
An excavator discovering or causing damage to
Practice
underground Statement: An excavator
facilities notifies discovering
the facility or causing
owner/operator as damage
identifiedtoon the
Practice
underground Statement: An excavator discovering or causing damage to
locate form. All breaks, leaks, nicks, dents, gouges, grooves,identified
facilities notifies the facility owner/operator as or other on the
underground
locate form. facilities
All breaks, notifies the facility owner/operator as identified on the
damages to facility lines,leaks, nicks,coatings
conduits, dents, gouges,
or cathodicgrooves, or other
protection will be
locate
damages form. All breaks, leaks, nicks, dents, gouges, grooves, or
to facility lines, conduits, coatings or cathodic protection will be other
reported immediately.
damages immediately.
reported to facility lines, conduits, coatings or cathodic protection will be
reported immediately.
Practice Description: The possibility of facility failure or endangerment of
the surrounding population Thedramatically
possibility ofincreases
facility failure
when or endangerment
a facility has beenof
Practice
the Description:
surrounding The possibility of facility failure or facility has beenof
endangerment
damaged. While population
the facility dramatically increasesfail,
may not immediately when theaunderground
the surrounding
damaged. population
While the facility dramatically
may notthe increases
immediately when
fail,tothea facility has been
underground
facility owner/operator should have opportunity inspect the damage
damaged.
facility While the
owner/operator facility may not immediately fail, the underground
should have the opportunity to inspect the damage
and make appropriate repairs.
facility
and makeowner/operator should have the opportunity to inspect the damage
appropriate repairs.
and make appropriate repairs.
4-24: Notification of Emergency Personnel
4-24: Notification of Emergency Personnel
4-24:
PracticeNotification
Statement: If of
theEmergency
damage resultsPersonnel
in the escape of any
Practice Statement:
flammable, If the gas
toxic, or corrosive damage results
or liquid in the escape
or endangers life,of any
health,
Practice Statement:
flammable, toxic, or If the gas
corrosive damage
or results
liquid or in the escape
endangers life,of any
health,
property or the environment, the excavator responsible immediately notifies
flammable,
property or toxic, or corrosive the
the environment, gasexcavator
or liquid or endangersimmediately
responsible life, health, notifies
the appropriate authorities and the facility owner/operator.
property
the or the environment,
appropriate authorities andthe excavator
the responsible immediately notifies
facility owner/operator.
the appropriate
The authorities
excavator takes and the
reasonable facility to
measures owner/operator.
protect workers and others in
The excavator
immediate takesthe
danger; reasonable measures
general public; to protect
property, and workers and others in
the environment.
The excavator
immediate takesthe
danger; reasonable measures
general public; to protect
property, and workers and others in
the environment.
immediate danger; the general public; property, and the environment.
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
– October 2014
58
98397_ORCGA_BestPract-TEXT-Oct2014.indd 58 16/10/14 9:42 AM

98397_ORCGA_BestPract-TEXT-Oct2014.indd 58 16/10/14 9:42 AM
1.0 – October 2016
2014
Practice Description: This practice minimizes the danger to life, health or
property
Practiceby notifying theThis
Description: proper authorities
practice to handle
minimizes the emergency
the danger to life, health or
situation.
property byIn notifying
these situations, local
the proper authorities
authorities to are ablethe
handle to evacuate
emergency as
appropriate and command substantial resources unavailable to the
situation. In these situations, local authorities are able to evacuate as
excavator
appropriateorand
underground
command facility owner/operator.
substantial resources unavailable to the
excavator or underground facility owner/operator.
The excavator takes reasonable measures based on their knowledge,

training, resources,
The excavator takesexperience
reasonableand understanding
measures based onoftheir
the situation
knowledge,to protect
workers,
training, resources, experience and understanding of the situation to The
the public, property and the environment until help arrives. protect
excavator responsible
workers, the remainsand
public, property on the
site environment
to convey any pertinent
until information
help arrives. The to
responders that may help
excavator responsible themon
remains to site
safely mitigateany
to convey thepertinent
situation.information to
responders that may help them to safely mitigate the situation.
4-25: Emergency Excavation
4-25:
PracticeEmergency
Statement: InExcavation
the case of an emergency excavation, the
excavator notifies the one-call
Practice Statement: In the case center
of and facility owner/operator
an emergency and
excavation, the
requests
excavatoran emergency
notifies locate.center and facility owner/operator and
the one-call
requests an
Practice emergency locate.
Description: Provincial regulations require excavators to request
locates
Practiceincluding emergency
Description: situations.
Provincial regulations require excavators to request
locates
An including
Emergency emergency
excavator situations.
locate request is defined as a loss of essential
service by a utility
An Emergency and anlocate
excavator excavator work
request is crew is on
defined as site or of
a loss dispatched,
essential or
there is an imminent safety hazard requiring a locate response by facilityor
service by a utility and an excavator work crew is on site or dispatched,
owners within two (2) hours.”
there is an imminent safety hazard requiring a locate response by facility
owners within two (2) hours.”
4-26: Backfilling
4-26:
PracticeBackfilling
Statement: When backfilling, all facilities should be protected
from damage
Practice and unintended
Statement: movement all
When backfilling, byfacilities
followingshould
facilitybestandards.
protected
from damage and unintended movement by following facility standards.
Practice Description: The excavator should provide suitable bedding
material
PracticetoDescription:
surround andTheprotect the facility(s).
excavator The backfill
should provide should
suitable be
bedding
comprised of “clean material” (free from trash or debris), with
material to surround and protect the facility(s). The backfill should be the removal
of large rocks,
comprised sharpmaterial”
of “clean objects, and
(freelarge
fromchunks
trash orofdebris),
hard packed clayremoval
with the which
could
of largepotentially
rocks, sharppenetrate theand
objects, bedding materialofand
large chunks damage
hard packedthe facility(s).
clay which
All backfill should be compacted to prevent undesired displacement
could potentially penetrate the bedding material and damage the facility(s). of both
the backfill material and the facility(s).
All backfill should be compacted to prevent undesired displacement of both
the backfill material and the facility(s).
4-27: Notification of Installation/Construction
4-27: Changes
Notification of Installation/Construction
PracticeChanges
Statement: After installing underground facilities a contractor
should notify the facility owner/operator if the as-built placement differs
Practice Statement:
from the placement Afteron
shown installing underground
the construction facilities a contractor
drawings.
should notify the facility owner/operator if the as-built placement differs
from the placement
Practice Description:shown on thefor
In order construction drawings.
a facility owner/operator to maintain
accurate records of its underground facilities, contractors who have installed
these facilities should beIn order for
required to anotify
facility
theowner/operator to maintain
facility owner/operator of the
accurate
as-built location of the underground facilities. In particular it is have
records of its underground facilities, contractors who installed
important to
these facilities
identify changes should
in thebeplanned
required to notify of
alignment the facility
the owner/operator
underground facilities;of the
as-built location of the underground facilities. In particular it is important to
identify changes in the planned alignment of the underground facilities;
1.0 – October 2016
2014 59
these changes can be horizontal and/or vertical deviations from the planned
alignment. The facility owner/operator should establish standards that
require notification if a deviation is beyond specified tolerances (e.g. vertical
deviation ≥150 mm, horizontal deviation ≥300 mm). It is the facility
owner/operator's responsibility to take appropriate action to update and
maintain its mapping records (As-built drawings) so that accurate locates
can be provided in the future.
4-28: Vacuum Excavation Definition

Practice Statement: Vacuum excavation is defined as a mechanical
means of soil extraction through vacuum when using water or air jet devices
for breaking ground. This method of excavation is commonly referred to as
“soft excavation technology” and is commonly accepted as being equivalent
or safer than hand digging within the “tolerance zone” around underground
facilities.
Practice Description: Vacuum excavation may be used to excavate safely

around utilities if the equipment has been designed and engineered for
excavating. The equipment is used following the manufacturer’s
recommended practices, documented procedures and meets facility owner
guidelines. Only competent and qualified workers shall operate vacuum
excavation equipment.
4-29: Operator Competency – Vacuum Excavating

Practice Statement: Vacuum excavation equipment shall only be operated
by a “competent worker” as defined by OH&S regulations for Construction
Projects. The operator must have knowledge, training and experience to
perform the work, be familiar with the OH&S Act and the regulations that
apply to the work and have knowledge of all potential or actual danger to
health and safety in the work place. It is a best practice that workers have
training recognized by the industry, defined work practices and
manufacturer’s recommended procedures specific to the equipment they are
operating.
Practice Description: Vacuum excavation equipment operators should

have also completed at a minimum the training outlined by the “IHSA Safe
Practice Guide for Excavating With Hydrovacs in the Vicinity of Underground
Electrical Plant” and training specific to any known facilities in the area of
excavation.
4-30: Safe Operation of Vacuum Excavation

Equipment
Practice Statement: Vacuum excavation can be used to excavate safely
around utilities if the equipment has been designed and engineered for
vacuum excavating according to the manufacturer. Equipment must be
operated in accordance with recognized practices and procedures that
provide necessary levels of worker and public safety and prevent damage to
underground utilities.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Practice Description: Excavators shall have as a minimum:
Practice Description: Excavators shall have as a minimum:
x A documented company Safety Program in place which can be made
x A documented company Safety Program in place which can be made
available for review on request by a representative of a facility owner.
x Written vacuum excavation Job Procedures must be in place and made
x Written vacuum excavation Job Procedures must be in place and made
x The contractor’s equipment specifications and or job procedures must
x The contractor’s equipment specifications and or job procedures must
comply with applicable regulations.
comply with applicable regulations.
4-31: Frozen Ground Excavation
4-31: Frozen Ground Excavation
Practice Statement: A preferred method for excavating within the
Practice Statement: any A preferred method
underground for in
utility excavating withinisthe
frozen ground to use a
tolerance zone around
tolerance zone around any underground utility in frozen ground is to use a
hydrovac designed and built for this purpose.
hydrovac designed and built for this purpose.
Practice Description: Conventional excavation methods in frozen ground
Practice Description: Conventional excavation methods in frozen ground
pose a risk to buried facilities if the facility is surrounded by frozen ground.
pose a risk to buried facilities if the facility is surrounded by frozen ground.
The use of conventional mechanical excavation equipment can not only
The use of conventional mechanical excavation equipment can not only
damage plant via direct contact but can also move frozen ground encasing
damage plant via direct contact but can also move frozen ground encasing
plant; potentially causing damage.
plant; potentially causing damage.
The best practice for excavating in the tolerance zone in frozen ground is to
The best practice for excavating in the tolerance zone in frozen ground is to
use a hydrovac with heated water not exceeding 45 degrees C at the wand
use a hydrovac with heated water not exceeding 45 degrees C at the wand
tip. This is currently the practice used by many vacuum excavators.
tip. This is currently the practice used by many vacuum excavators.
4-32: Utility Owner Acceptance of Vacuum Excavation

4-32: Utility Owner Acceptance of Vacuum Excavation
Practices
Practices
Practice Statement: Each utility has a specific criterion for safe excavating
Practice Statement: Each utility has a specific criterion for safe excavating
practices. Some utilities view Vacuum Excavation as the equivalent to hand
practices. Some utilities view Vacuum Excavation as the equivalent to hand
digging when exposing their utility and others have restrictions on their use.
digging when exposing
It is recommended their utility
excavators and the
contact others have
utility restrictions
owners on theirthe
to determine use.
It is recommended excavators contact the utility owners to determine the
extent of their restrictions for the use of this method of excavation around
extentplant.
of their restrictions for the use of this method of excavation around
their
their plant.
Practice Description: Every excavator who wishes to utilize vacuum
Practice Description: Every excavator who wishes to utilize vacuum
excavation as a method to excavate within the “tolerance zone” of any
excavation as a method to excavate within the “tolerance zone” of any
underground plant should contact the owner of the utility to determine the
underground plant should contact the prior ownertoofstarting
the utility to determine the
specific criteria they deem acceptable the excavation.
specific criteria they deem acceptable prior to starting the excavation.
Some utilities will accept this practice as the equivalent to hand digging;
Some utilities will accept this practice as the equivalent tocriteria hand digging;
that need
others may have very specific procedures and operating
others may have very specific procedures and operating criteria that need
to be followed.
to be followed.
Utility owners generally recognize the benefits for damage prevention by
Utility owners generally recognize the benefits for damage prevention by
utilizing this process. Utility owners should work together to establish a
utilizing this process. Utility owners should work together to establish a
common set of standards, process and procedures that can be accepted by
common
all damage setprevention
of standards, process
stake holders.and procedures that can be accepted by
all damage prevention stake holders.

Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
Version 2.0
1.0 Alliance
– October 2016
2014
61
4-33: Protection of Survey Infrastructure
4-33: Protection of Survey Infrastructure
Practice Statement: Every excavator is responsible for recognizing and
Practice Statement:
ensuring the integrity ofEvery excavator
survey is responsible for recognizing and
infrastructure.
ensuring the integrity of survey infrastructure.
Practice Description: Every excavator should recognize the importance of
not disturbing monumented Every excavator Utility
boundaries. shouldinfrastructure
recognize themust
importance of
be installed
not disturbing
to avoid monumented
disturbing boundaries. Utility
survey infrastructure. Surveyinfrastructure
infrastructuremust
maybe installed
include
to avoid
iron bars,disturbing survey
iron pipes, woodinfrastructure. Survey
posts, cut stone infrastructure
monuments, may include
rock mounds, rock
iron bars,
bars iron pipes,
and building wood posts, cut stone monuments, rock mounds, rock
corners.
bars and building corners.
References:
References:
1. Because of their significance, survey monuments are protected by
1. Because
both federalof their
and significance, survey monuments are protected by
provincial law.
both federal and provincial law.
The Criminal Code of Canada R.S. 1985, c. C-46 under Part XI,
The Criminal
Sec. 442 and 443Code of Canada
states, R.S. who
“Everyone 1985, c. C-46
willfully under
pulls Partdefaces,
down, XI,
Sec. 442 and 443 states, “Everyone who willfully pulls down,
alters or removes anything planted or set up as the boundary line or defaces,
altersoforthe
part removes anything
boundary line ofplanted or set of
land is guilty upan asoffence
the boundary line or
punishable on
part of theconviction.”
summary boundary line of land is guilty of an offence punishable on
summary conviction.”
4-34: Excavation and Public Safety
4-34: Excavation and Public Safety
Practice Statement: Excavations are performed safely.
Practice Statement: Excavations are performed safely.
Practice
Excavator Description: It is and
to establish when the responsibility of the owner/operator
how the excavation andAll
will be performed.
Excavator
hazards to establish
associated withwhen and how
excavating arethe excavation
identified. will be performed.
Appropriate measuresAll
hazards associated
conforming withprovincial,
to federal, excavating areand
local identified.
industryAppropriate measures
standards are
conforming to
established. federal, provincial,
Employees are made local
awareand
of industry standards
these hazards are
and properly
established.
trained Employees
in worker safety are made aware
standards. of thesesafeguards
Appropriate hazards and
areproperly
put in place
trained
to in worker
protect safety standards. Appropriate safeguards are put in place
the public.
to protect the public.
The following items should be considered as part of the above.
The following items should be considered as part of the above.
x Soil classification
x Soil classification
x Traffic control, including passing vehicles and pedestrians
x Traffic control, including passing vehicles and pedestrians
x Construction vehicular movement
x Construction vehicular movement
x Trip and fall hazards
x Trip and fall hazards
x Adjacent structures and/or facilities
x Adjacent structures and/or facilities
x Maintaining clear distances on top of excavations for materials and
x Maintaining
equipment clear distances on top of excavations for materials and
equipment
x Sources of energy (overhead and other)
x Sources of energy (overhead and other)

62 Canadian
Ground 2016
Alliance
2014
4-35: Pre
PreDemolition
DemolitionVerification
VerificationProcess
Process
4-35: Pre Demolition Verification Process
Practice Statement: The Excavator/Demolition Contractor shall have a
Practice
process toStatement: Thedisconnects
verify all utility Excavator/Demolition Contractor points,
and their termination shall have
priora to
process to verify all utility disconnects and their termination points, prior to
demolition.
demolition.
Practice Description: The Excavator/Demolition Contractor shall receive and
Practice
review theDescription: The Excavator/Demolition
demolition permit Contractor
and ensure that all utilities shall receive
have been capped andor
review the demolition
terminated. permit
Furthermore, the and ensure shall
Contractor that all utilities
verify have been capped
the termination points asor
terminated.
required Furthermore,
(may thelocates,
include utility Contractor
site shall verify the
inspection, termination
obtaining points as
confirmation/as
required (may from
built drawings include utility locates, site inspection, obtaining confirmation/as
utilities)
built drawings from utilities)
4-36: Trenchless Excavation

4-36: Trenchless Excavation
Practice Statement: To prevent damages to existing facilities when using
Practice Statement:
Trenchless To preventExcavation
Excavation. Trenchless damages tois existing
a type offacilities when using
subsurface
Trenchless Excavation.
construction Trenchless
work that requires fewExcavation
trenches orisnon-continuous
a type of subsurface
trenches.
constructionExcavation
Trenchless work that includes
requires such
few trenches or non-continuous
construction trenches.micro
methods as tunneling,
Trenchless(MTM),
tunneling Excavation includes
horizontal such construction
directional methods
drilling (HDD) as tunneling,
also known as micro
tunneling (MTM),
directional boring,horizontal directional
pipe ramming drilling
(PR), pipe (HDD)
jacking alsopneumatic
(PJ), known aspiercing,
directional auger
horizontal boring,boring
pipe ramming
(HAB) and (PR), pipe
other jackingfor
methods (PJ),
thepneumatic
installationpiercing,
of
horizontal auger boring (HAB) and other methods for the
pipelines and cables below the ground with minimal excavation. installation of
pipelines and cables below the ground with minimal excavation.
Practice Description: Create a bore plan considering all affected facilities
Practice
prior Description:
to excavation. Request Create a bore plan
the location considering all
of underground affected
facilities facilities
within the
prior to excavation. Request the location of underground
work area including, but not limited to, the position of the excavation facilities within the
work area including,
equipment, the entrancebut not
pit, limited
trenchlessto, the positionpath
excavation of the excavation
and the exit pit.
equipment,expose
Physically the entrance pit, located
all existing trenchless excavation
facilities, both path and the
vertically andexit pit.
horizontally,
Physically expose
according all existing
to the facility owner’slocated facilities, both vertically and horizontally,
specifications.
according to the facility owner’s specifications.
The excavation equipment operator or other competent person shall review
Theutility
the excavation
locatesequipment
and perform operator
a site or other inspection,
specific competent including
person shall review
walking the
entire proposed trenchless excavation path, prior to commencing work. the
the utility locates and perform a site specific inspection, including walking
entire proposed
Findings shall betrenchless
communicated excavation path, prior
to all relevant to commencing work.
parties.
Findings shall be communicated to all relevant parties.
Proximity to all facilities should be considered at all times during the
Proximity toprocess.
installation all facilities
Theshould be considered
excavation equipmentatoperator
all timesorduring the person
competent
installation
shall maintain process.
the boreThepath
excavation
and confirmequipment operatorclearances
the minimum or competent person
established
shall
by anymaintain
affectedthe bore owner.
facility path and The confirm the minimum
installation clearances
process includes theestablished
pilot bore,
by pre-reaming
all any affected passesfacility owner.
and theThe finalinstallation process includes
product installation. Means the pilot bore,
of tracking
all pre-reaming
trenchless passes include
excavations and theelectronic
final product installation. Means
locating/guidance of tracking
devices, pipe
trenchless
lasers, water excavations
levels, etc.include electronic locating/guidance devices, pipe
lasers, water levels, etc.
When existing facilities are known to be present but are not exposed as a
When of
result existing facilities are
local conditions, known
the facilitytoowner
be present
and thebutexcavator
are not exposed
shall meetas ato
result of
agree onlocal
how conditions, the facility
to safely proceed withowner and the excavator
the excavation. shall meet to
The trenchless
agree on how
excavation to safelyshall
operations proceed
stop with
if an the excavation.
abnormal The trenchless
condition, unknown
excavation operations
substructure, shall stop
or other hidden if an is
hazard abnormal condition,
encountered. The unknown
trenchless
substructure, or other hidden hazard is encountered. The trenchless

Canadian
Ground 2016
Alliance
2014 63
excavation operations shall proceed only after a risk assessment is completed
in the field. Visual confirmation of the product installation relative to existing
facilities is the preferred method of proper installation clearance verification.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
x Equipment set up
x Facility Locating and Equipment set back
x Drill pit/receiving pit
x Pilot Bore
x Back Reaming
x Recording – Data logging, manual maps, electronic, GPS
Pipe Jacking & Micro Tunneling
x Equipment set up
x Facility Locating and Equipment set back
x Drill pit/receiving pit

1.0 – October 2016
2014
5-0 Mapping Best Practices
5 Mapping
5-0 Mapping Best Practices
5-1: One-Call Center Responsibilities and Use of
Mapping
Practice Statement: The land base used by the One-Call Centre mapping
system should be accurate and kept up to date with new information as it
becomes available from source suppliers. Facility owners/operators should
provide regular updates of their notification mapping coverage to ensure the
most current information is utilized in the system. Ideally, the land base used
is available to the public and can produce a ticket for the smallest practical
geographical area utilizing latitude/longitude to describe the location.
Practice Description: The provincial land base should be the most

current, precise and contain the most complete coverage available. It should
be geographically correct to a reasonable degree as well being cost
effective. The meta-data information should be available to permit two way
conversion and/or exchange of data. A single standard geographic reference
should be utilized.
There must be a process in place to keep the land base current (both
graphics and attributes) with regular updates and maintenance. This
process should be as automated as possible to avoid user errors while
being cost effective. The database is promptly updated as information is
provided or becomes available from the facility owner/operator. The system
should be able to accept information in standard file format with minimal
human intervention. (The graphic database refers to the member
notification area coverage)
The mapping system should be able to produce a ticket for the smallest
practical geographical area suitable to the member’s requirements. There
needs to be flexibility within the system to handle the various sources of
information contained.
Land base should be made available for public viewing (excavators, project
owners, homeowners, etc.) to validate limits of dig areas. The land base and
database should also available to the one-call center membership for the
update of member database information.
5-2: Locator Responsibilities and Use of Mapping

Practice Statement: Locators use maps to assist in finding the excavation
site and to assist in determining the general location of the buried facility.
Where discrepancies occur between mapping and facilities location
determined by equipment, the locator should notify the owner/operator and
the one-call centre.
Practice Description: It is critical that the locators are trained in reading

facilities distribution maps and associated symbology to assist in determining
the location of the buried facilities. The locator utilizes both locating

1.0 – October 2016
2014 65
equipment and mapping to provide locates. Where there is a discrepancy
between the mapping and the location as determined by locating
equipment, the locator must notify the facility owner/operator of the issue
and also provide such feedback to the one-call centre of the issue. The
facility owners should be responsible for verifying any such discrepancies as
part of editing their mapping databases.
5-3: Excavator’s Responsibilities and Use of Mapping

Practice Statement: The excavator provides accurate excavation location
information to the one-call centre.
Practice Description: The excavator takes responsibility for giving

accurate excavation location information to the one-call center. This
information includes street address, street intersection, legal description, or
other acceptable one-call format and latitude/longitude if feasible. A list of
requirements is found in Best Practice 2-16.
If the excavator cannot meet the above criteria, the excavator directly
coordinates with the one-call center to establish the excavation area for the
purposes of description on the locate form. At times, it may also be required
for the excavator to coordinate with the facility locator in order to establish
the location.
5-4: Facility Owner/Operator Responsibilities

for Mapping Records
Practice Statement: The facility owner/operator should collect and

maintain records for the location of its buried facilities.
Practice Description: The facility owner/operator should ensure that its

records are of sufficient detail and accuracy, and referenced to a defined
datum system (e.g. permanent physical markers, survey monuments, GPS
coordinate systems, etc.), in order that the location of its buried facilities
can be re-established at a later date and that subsequent users have an
adequate level of confidence to:
1. determine the areas to which records apply

2. correctly identify the facilities being described
3. determine the spatial accuracy of the facilities' stated position
4. determine the completeness of the record (e.g. all facilities shown,
only trunk lines shown, abandoned facilities not shown, etc.).
The facility owner/operator should provide the One Call Centre and
associated locate service providers and design consultants with data (e.g.
electronic or paper records, fiche, or other indexing of underground
facilities) that will allow proper ticket creation and notification of excavation
activities near the facility owner/operators’ infrastructure and allow the
locator to accurately mark the underground facility.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
The
The mapping
mapping systemsystem standards
standards and and data
data specifications
specifications should should be be
consistently
The mapping applied
system across the
standards owner/operator’s
and data facilities
specifications
consistently applied across the owner/operator’s facilities and
and communicated
should be
communicated
to
to those involved
consistently
those involvedapplied in data
across
in data exchange or data
the owner/operator’s
exchange integration
or data integration processes.
facilities The
and communicated
processes. The
process
process of
to those of collecting,
involved storing
in data
collecting, and managing
exchange
storing and the mapping
or data integration
managing the mapping records should
processes.
records should
The be be
clearly documented
processdocumented
clearly of collecting,and and whenever
storing possible the
and managing
whenever possible the location
the location
mappingof ofrecords
buried should
buried facilitiesbe
facilities
should
clearly be
be established
should documented
established andduring the
the installation
whenever
during possible the
installation process when
location
process when these
these are
of buried still
facilities
are still
visible
should and
be their positions
established can
during be
the most accurately
installation process
visible and their positions can be most accurately measured and recorded.measured
when and
these recorded.
are still
visible and their positions can be most accurately measured and recorded.
Generally
Generally the the facility
facility owner/operator
owner/operator should should capture
capture the the following
following
information
Generally theto ensure
facility safety and
owner/operator success
should
information to ensure safety and success in the planning, in the planning,
capture design,
the following
design,
construction, documentation,
information todocumentation,
construction, ensure safety and location,
success
location, and maintenance
andinmaintenance of
the planning,ofdesign, their
their facilities:
facilities:
construction, documentation, location, and maintenance of their facilities:
a. horizontal
a. horizontal and and vertical
vertical position
position of of buried
buried facility;
facility;
b.
a. cross-sectional size of duct bank
b. cross-sectional size of duct bank or cablefacility;
horizontal and vertical position of or cable
buried trench;
trench;
c.
b. number and
cross-sectional size of
size conduits,
of duct pipes,
bank
c. number and size of conduits, pipes, or number or or
cable number
trench; of
of direct
direct buried
buried
cables
c. number if not
and in cable
size of trench;
conduits,
cables if not in cable trench; and and
pipes, or number of direct buried
d. facility's
facility'sif external
d. cables not in cable
external material
trench;
material type
typeandthat
that would
would be be first
first encountered
encountered if if
d. exposed.
facility's
exposed. external material type that would be first encountered if
exposed.
Current Practice:
Current Practice:
•• One
One Call
Current CallPractice:
accepts either
accepts either digital
digital oror hard
hard copy
copy information
information of of single
single line
line data.
data.
• The
One onus
Call is on
accepts facility
either owner/operators
digital or hard to
copy provide updates
information
The onus is on facility owner/operators to provide updates in the format of in the
single format
line data. of
of
their
The choice
onus
their choice is on facility owner/operators to provide updates in the format of
•• their
Facility information
choice is currently provided to locate service
Facility information is currently provided to locate service providers in providers in
• varying formats
formats as
Facility information
varying as determined
is currently by
determined facility
provided
by owner/operators.
facility to locate service providers in
owner/operators.
•• varying
Some
Some larger municipalities have developed composite utility
larger
formatsmunicipalities
as determined have developed
by facility composite
owner/operators. utility mapping
mapping
• systems
Some (e.g.
larger Toronto
municipalitiesDMOG) have that display
developed
systems (e.g. Toronto DMOG) that display multiple utility multiple
composite utility infrastructure
utility mapping in
infrastructure in
the area
area (e.g.
systems
the on an
on anToronto
accurate
accurate common
DMOG)
common thatbase map
display
base for use
mapmultiple
for use utility
in the
in theinfrastructure
planning,
planning, design
designin
and area
the
and construction of new
on an accurate
construction of new common
infrastructure
base projects.
infrastructure map for use in the planning, design
projects.
and construction of new infrastructure projects.
5-5:
5-5: Project
Project Owner
Owner Responsibilities
Responsibilities and and
5-5: Project
Use of Owner
Mapping
Use of Mapping Responsibilities and
Use
Practice of Mapping
Statement:
Practice Statement: The project owner provides accurate
The project owner provides accurate information
information on
on
Practice
the
the scope
scope ofStatement:
of work
work and The project
and determines
determines the
theowner provides
starting
starting and accurate
and ending
ending information
points,
points, ideally on
ideally by
by
the scope
providing of work
basic and determines
coordinates which the starting
define the and ending
centerline
providing basic coordinates which define the centerline or area of or points,
area of ideally by
providing basic coordinates which define the centerline or area of
construction.
construction.
construction.
Practice
Description: The The project
project owner
owner provides
provides the
the excavator
excavator with
with
Practicelocation
accurate
accurate Description:
location The project
information
information on the owner
on the provides
proposed
proposed the excavator
excavation
excavation andwith
area and
area scope
scope of
of
work This information includes: a street address, street intersection, legal of
accurate
work Thislocation information
information includes:onathe proposed
street address,excavation
street area and
intersection, scope
legal
work This information
description,
description, a
a starting includes:
starting point,
point, a street
ending
ending pointaddress,
point and on street
and on which intersection,
which side
side of
of the legal
the property
property
description,
(North, South,a starting
East, point,
West, ending
front, point
back, and
rear, on
sides,which
etc.) side of
distance
(North, South, East, West, front, back, rear, sides, etc.) distance from the property
from
nearest
nearest intersection
(North, South, East, or
intersection or other
West,
other acceptable
front, one-call
back, rear,
acceptable format
sides,
one-call and
etc.) distance
format and from
nearest intersection
latitude/longitude
latitude/longitude if or other acceptable one-call format and
if feasible.
feasible.
latitude/longitude if feasible.

Alliance
Best Practices
Canadian
Best Version
Common
Practices 2.0
1.0 –
– October
Ground
Version 1.0 2016
2014
Alliance
October 2014 67
67
Current Practice:
x Project owner provides information to excavator which is referenced to
the call centre map.
x Today, “starting and ending points” tend to be descriptions - not co-

ordinates; however greater use of mapping technologies will facilitate
this information being provided.
x There is currently a variety of referencing methods for tying-in

proposed construction (C/L, P/L, etc.) which is facility owner specific
and may/may not be tied to universal survey control points.
References:

1.0 – October 2016
2014
6 Compliance
6-0 Compliance Best Practices
6-0 Compliance Best Practices
6-1: Public Education
Practice Statement: Public education programs are used to promote
compliance.
Practice Description: The CCGA is charged to promote comprehensive

and appropriate programs to educate all stakeholders about the existence
and content of the damage prevention practices, laws and regulations. This
education will be documented and published. This is not meant to
discourage individual stakeholders from providing educational programs.
6-2: Enforcement Education

Practice Statement: Mandatory education is considered as an alternative
or supplement to penalties for offenders of the damage prevention laws and
regulations.
Practice Description: Once a violation of the damage prevention best

practices, laws or regulations has occurred, mandatory education is an
effective alternative. Mandatory education as an enforcement tool promotes
compliance with damage prevention best practices.
6-3: Incentives
Practice Statement: Damage prevention programs include incentives to
promote compliance with laws, regulations and best practices.
Practice Description: Incentives can include, but are not limited to, ease
of access to one-call system, One Call membership and participation
considerations, representation on one-call boards, reasonable enforcement
of regulations, safety and liability protection, preferred access to contract
designers and contractors for bidding, and insurance and overall cost
benefits.
Safety and Liability Protection: Demonstrated adherence to the Best

Practices will provide increased safety and liability protection for all industry
members.
x Preferred Access to Design and Administration Consultants: To provide

incentive to consultants who demonstrate compliance to Best Practices,
it is recommended that Municipalities and others who employ design and
Administration Consultants ensure they build a process into their contract
awarding process which accomplishes this.
x This Process may include such items as:
x Appropriate use of SUE
x Appropriate use of pre-engineering process encompassing notification of

Utilities, drawing circulation and tender document inclusions

1.0 – October 2016
2014 69
x Vetting contractors through a preferred access process
x Vetting contractors through a preferred access process
x Inclusion of appropriate contract language that recognizes the CCGCA’s
x Inclusion of appropriate contract language that recognizes the CCGCA’s
Best Practices and requests compliance
Best Practices and requests compliance
x They will also ensure that their contracts include incentives and/or
x They will also ensure that their contracts include incentives and/or
penalties regarding performance requirements.
x Preferred Access to Contract Bidding: To provide incentive to excavators
x Preferred Access to Contract Bidding: To provide incentive to excavators
to demonstrate compliance to Best Practices, it is recommended that
to demonstrate compliance to Best Practices, it is recommended that
Municipalities and others who hire excavation contractors ensure they
Municipalities and others who hire excavation contractors ensure they
build a process into their contract awarding process which accomplishes
build a process into their contract awarding process which accomplishes
this. They will also ensure that their contracts include incentives and/or
this. They will also ensure that their contracts include incentives and/or
x Insurance Benefits: To provide incentive to follow best practices, it is
x Insurance Benefits: To provide incentive to follow best practices, it is
recommended that the insurance companies develop a system which
recommended that the insurance companies develop a system which
allows them to provide financial incentives to companies with a
allows them to provide financial incentives to companies with a
demonstrated positive safety culture.
demonstrated positive safety culture.
x Reasonable Enforcement of Regulations: Reasonable enforcement of
x Reasonable Enforcement of Regulations: Reasonable enforcement of
regulations refers to actions by enforcement authority officials and
regulations refers to actions by enforcement authority officials and
enforcement processes, both of which aim to fairly arrive at rational
enforcement processes, both of which aim to fairly arrive at rational
outcomes, such as education and penalties that correspond to the
outcomes, such as education and penalties that correspond to the
gravity of the violation and demonstrated safety culture, without
gravity of the violation and demonstrated safety culture, without
imposing unnecessarily high transaction costs on any participant,
imposing unnecessarily high transaction costs on any participant,
including the enforcement authority.
including the enforcement authority.
x Cost Benefits: best practices are always thought to be the best
x Cost Benefits: best practices are always thought to be the best
alternative and as such have an inherent cost benefit
alternative and as such have an inherent cost benefit
6-4: Penalties
6-4: Penalties
Practice Statement: Compliance programs include penalties for violations
Practice Statement: Compliance programs include penalties for violations
of the damage prevention laws or regulations.
of the damage prevention laws or regulations.
Practice Description: Within the context of Regulations, there are specific
Practice Description: Within the context of Regulations, there are specific
provisions for enforcement for failure to comply with the damage prevention
provisions for enforcement for failure to comply with the damage prevention
laws and regulations.
laws and regulations.
A penalty system includes education as an alternative or supplement to
A penalty system includes education as an alternative or supplement to
other penalties (see above).
other penalties (see above).
A penalty system also uses a tiered structure to distinguish violations by the
A penalty system also uses a tiered structure to distinguish violations by the
level of severity or repeat offences (e.g. Legal Orders, Tickets, Administrative
level of severity or repeat offences (e.g. Legal Orders, Tickets, Administrative
Penalties, Prosecution Fines, Imprisonment).
Penalties, Prosecution Fines, Imprisonment).
A penalty system does not allow any violator or class of violators to be
A penalty system does not allow any violator or class of violators to be
shielded from the consequences of a violation (i.e. all stakeholders should
shielded from the consequences of a violation (i.e. all stakeholders should
be accountable).
be accountable).

1.0 – October 2016
2014
70
6-5: Enforcement by Existing Authority
6-5: Enforcement
Enforcementby
byExisting
ExistingAuthority
Authority
Practice Statement: An authority is specified through statutes and
Practice
given resources toAn
the Statement: authority
enforce the is specified through statutes and
law.
given the resources to enforce the law.
Practice Description: Enforcement authorities have the resources to
Practicethe
enforce Description: Enforcement
laws and regulations. authorities
Experience have
has the resources
demonstrated thatto
enforce
enforcement of the laws and regulations that did not identify a that
the laws and regulations. Experience has demonstrated
enforcement
specific of the
authority and
lawsnot
have regulations
been effective.that did not identify a
specific authority have not been effective.
Characteristics of such an authority include:
Characteristics of such an authority include:
x A process for receiving reports of violations from any stakeholder;
x A process for receiving reports of violations from any stakeholder;
x An operating budget source other than fine revenue, excluding fines
x An
as aoperating
source ofbudget
incomesource
for theother than fine revenue, excluding fines
authority;
as a source of income for the authority;
x Stakeholder involvement in periodic review and modification
x Stakeholder
of enforcement involvement
processes;in periodic review and modification
of enforcement processes;
x Resources to respond to notifications of alleged violations
x Resources
in a timely to respond to notifications of alleged violations
manner;
in a timely manner;
x A method of investigating alleged violations prior to issuing a notice
x A
of method
probableofviolation;
investigating alleged violations prior to issuing a notice
of probable violation;
x An initial informal means of contesting a notice of violation; and
x An initial informal means of contesting a notice of violation; and
x A published violation review process and violation
x A published considerations.
assessment violation review process and violation
assessment considerations.
6-6: Structured Review Process

6-6: Structured
StructuredReview
ReviewProcess
Process
Practices Statement: A structured review process is used to
Practices
impartially Statement: A structured
adjudicate alleged review process is used to
violations.
impartially adjudicate alleged violations.
Practice Description: It is important that review processes are constructed
to avoid abuses It is important
of authority and preventthatany
review processes
individual, are constructed
industry,
to avoid abuses
stakeholder of authority
or agency and prevent
from exercising any individual,
undue industry,over the
power or influence
stakeholder or agency from exercising undue power or influence
process. A structured review process must be outlined in writing which over the
process. A
indicates: structured review process must be outlined in writing which
indicates:
x who receives reports of alleged violations,
x who receives reports of alleged violations,
x who investigates the reports,
x who investigates the reports,
x possible outcomes of the investigation,
x possible outcomes of the investigation,
x who conducts 1st tier (informal) hearings,
x who conducts 1st tier (informal) hearings,
x possible outcomes of 1st tier hearings, and
x possible outcomes of 1st tier hearings, and
x appeal rights following a 2nd tier (formal) hearing.
nd
x appeal rights following a 2 tier (formal) hearing.

Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
– October 2014 71
1.0 – October 2016
2014 71
PROVINCIAL/FEDERAL REGULATIONS
& REGULATORS
Jurisdiction Regulations Regulators

Alberta ¾Canada Labour Code and ¾ Alberta
ABCGA Canada Occupational Health Occupational
and Safety Regulations Health and
¾ Alberta Gas Distribution Act Safety
¾ Alberta Mines and Minerals Act ¾ Alberta Energy
and Alberta Exploration Regulator
Regulation ¾ National Energy
¾ Alberta Municipal Government Board
Act
¾ Alberta Occupational Health
and Safety Act, Alberta
Occupational Health and
Safety Regulation and Alberta
Occupational Health and
Safety Code
¾ Alberta Pipeline Act and
Alberta Pipeline Rules
¾ Alberta Safety Codes Act and
Alberta Electrical Utility Code
¾ National Energy Board Act and
National Energy Board Pipeline
Crossing Regulations, Parts I &
II (PCR I&II)
Atlantic Canada New Brunswick ¾ WorkSafeNB
ATLCGA ¾ Regulation 91-191 Under ¾ New Brunswick
Occupational Health & Safety Energy and
Act, Section 180 (1) Utilities Broad
¾ Occupational Health & Safety
¾ Nova Scotia
Act – Enforcement, Section 47
(1) Department of
¾ Pipeline Act, 2005 Section 29 Labour and
Advanced
Nova Scotia Education
¾ Occupational Safety General ¾ Nova Scotia
Regulations, N.S. Reg 53/2013: Utility and
Underground utility lines,
Review Board
Section 153
¾ Pipeline Regulations, N.S. Reg. ¾ National Energy
66/98 as amended by N.S. Reg Board
199/2004, Part XII – Protection
of Pipelines, Section 58, 59
British ¾ Canada Labour Code and ¾ BC Safety
Columbia Canada Occupational Health Authority
BCCGA and Safety Regulations ¾ WorkSafeBC
¾ National Energy Board Act and ¾ BC Oil and Gas
National Energy Board Pipeline Commission
Crossing Regulations, Parts I ¾ National Energy
and II (PCR I&II) Board
¾ Workers Compensation Act
Canadian Common
Ground Alliance
Alliance
Best Practices
Best Practices Version
Version 1.0
2.0 –– October
October 2014
2016
72
¾ Occupational Health and Safety
Regulation
¾ Oil and Gas Activities Act,
Pipeline Regulation, Pipeline
Crossing Regulation
Manitoba ¾ Manitoba has The Gas Pipeline ¾ Public Utilities
MCGA Act, Regulation Board
140/92 (recently amended ¾ Manitoba
with M.R. 213/2014) Workplace
¾ Workplace Safety and Health Safety & Health
217/2007, Part 26 ¾ National Energy
¾ National Energy Board Act and Board
Crossing Regulations, Parts I
and II
Ontario ¾ ON Regulations 22/04 – ¾ Technical
ORCGA Electrical Distribution Safety, Standards &
subsection 113(1) of Part V111 Safety Authority
of Electricity Act, 1998 (TSSA)
¾ ON Regulations 210/01 – Oil ¾ Electrical Safety
and Gas Pipeline Systems – Authority (ESA)
made under the TSSA 2000 ¾ Ministry of
¾ OH&S Act & Regulations Labour (MOL)
(R.S.O. 1990 chapter 0.1). ¾ National Energy
Construction Projects (O. Reg Board
213/91) S228.1
Quebec ¾ Code de sécurité pour les ¾ CSST
Info-Excavation travaux de construction – (Commission de
Quebec Safety Code for the la santé et de la
construction industry (Fines sécurité du
mentioned in rules 236 & 237) travail)
o 3.15.1 – Diggings, excavations ¾ National Energy
and trenches Board
o 3.18.1 – Demolition (work with
high risk)
¾ National Energy Board Act and
Crossing Regulations, Parts I &
II (PCR I&II)
Saskatchewan ¾ The Saskatchewan ¾ Ministry of
SCGA Employment Act Labour Relations
¾ The Occupational Health and and Workplace
Safety Regulations, 1996 Safety,
¾ The Pipelines Act, 1998 Occupational
¾ The Power Corporation Act Health and
¾ The SaskEnergy Act Safety Division
¾ The Saskatchewan ¾ Ministry of the
Telecommunications Act Economy
¾ National Energy
Board
Federal ¾ NEB Act ¾ National Energy
CCGA ¾ Onshore Pipeline Regulations Board
(OPR)
¾ Pipeline Crossing Regulations,
Parts I & II (PCR I&II)

2.0 – October 2014
2016
73
1.0 – October 2016
2014
7-0 Public Education Best Practices
7 Public Education
7-1: Know the Target Audience and Their Needs
7-1: Know the Target Audience and Their Needs
7-1:
PracticeKnow the Target
Statement: In order toAudience and Their
effectively promote Needs
damage prevention
Practice Statement: damage
and influence/improve In order prevention
to effectively promote
habits, damage prevention
it is necessary to identify
Practice
and Statement: damage
influence/improve In order prevention
to effectively promote
habits, it is damage prevention
necessary toneeds
identify
the target audience, establish what their education and awareness
and influence/improve damage prevention habits, it is necessary to identify
the target audience, establish what their education and
are, and to create a communications package that is tailored to those awareness needs
the
are, target
and toaudience, establish what their
create a communications education
package that isand awareness
tailored to thoseneeds
needs.
are,
needs.and to create a communications package that is tailored to those
needs.
Practice Description: The fundamental reason for conducting education
Practice
and awarenessDescription:
campaigns The is fundamental reasonpeople
to try to influence for conducting
to changeeducation
their
Practice
and Description:
awareness campaigns The is fundamental
to try to reason
influence for
people conducting
to change education
their
behaviour to reduce utility damage and increase public safety.
and awareness
behaviour campaigns
to reduce is to try to
utility damage andinfluence
increasepeople
public to change their
safety.
behaviour to reduce
The organizations andutility damagewho
individuals andcould
increase public
benefit fromsafety.
damage
The organizations and individuals who could benefit
prevention education and awareness are extensive and diverse. from damageTo identify
The organizations
prevention andand
education individuals
awareness whoarecould benefitand
extensive from damage
diverse. To identify
the target audience:
prevention education and awareness are extensive and diverse. To identify
the target audience:
xthe Examine
target audience:
damage data and trends
xx Examine
Categorize damage data
incidents by:and trends & severity
frequency
x Examine damage data and trends
xx Categorize incidents by:
Rank and prioritize incidents frequency & severity
x Categorize incidents by: frequency & severity
xx Rank and prioritize incidents
To effectively communicate educational objectives:
x Rank and prioritize incidents
xx To effectively
Clearly identifycommunicate
the issues and educational
root causes.objectives:
x To effectively communicate educational objectives:
xx Clearly identify the issues and root causes.
Describe new behaviour and establish what it would take to change
x Clearly identify the issues and root causes.
x Describe
behaviournew behaviour and establish what it would take to change
x Describe new behaviour and establish what it would take to change
x behaviour
Reinforce changes in behaviour.
behaviour
x Reinforce changes in behaviour.
x Reinforce changes in behaviour.
7-2: Develop and Use a Marketing Plan
7-2: Develop and Use a Marketing Plan
7-2:
PracticeDevelop and
Statement: Useaamarketing
Develop Marketing Plan
plan that will take in to account
Practice Statement:
the training needs of theDevelop
target aaudience,
marketing plan that
available will take in to account
resources,
Practice
the Statement:
training needs of Develop
the target aaudience,
marketing plan that
available will take in to account
resources,
communications media and timeframes.
the training needs of the target audience, available resources,
communications media and timeframes.
communications media and
Practice Description: timeframes.
A strategic marketing plan enables better
implementation, control A
andstrategic marketing
continuity plan enables
of advertising better
and promotional
implementation, control A strategic marketing plan enables better
programs. The plan sets and continuity
realistic of advertising
goals and and promotional
allocates sufficient resources
implementation,
programs. The control
plan sets and continuity
realistic goals of advertising
and allocates and promotional
sufficient resources
required to achieve them. It also accommodates the need to track and
programs.
required toThe plan them.
achieve sets realistic
It also goals and allocates
accommodates the sufficient
need to resources
track and
analyze results.
required to achieve them. It also accommodates the need to track and
analyze results.
analyze results.
7-3: Practice Project Management
7-3: Practice Project Management
7-3:
PracticePractice Project
Statement: PracticeManagement
Project management when executing the
Practice
marketingStatement:
plan. Practice Project management when executing the
Practice
marketingStatement:
plan. Practice Project management when executing the
marketing plan. Effective Project management consists of:
Practice Description: Effective Project management consists of:
xPractice Description: Effective Project management consists of:
Goal setting
xx Goal setting
Resource management
x Goal setting
xx Resource management
Task identification
x Resource management
Task identification
xx Timelines
x Task identification
x Timelines
x Timelines

Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
Version 2.0
1.0 Alliance
– October 2016
2014
Canadian
Best Common
Practices Ground
– October 2014 75
75
7-4: Create an Effective Damage Prevention Message
Practice Statement: When promoting damage prevention, create a
Practice Statement: When promoting damage prevention, create a
Practice that
message Statement:
is understood
Whenand retained.damage prevention, create a
promoting
message that is understood and retained.
message that is understood and retained.
Practice Description: An effective message should motivate the targeted
Practice Description: An effective message should motivate the targeted
Practice to
audience Description:
positive action. The objective
An effective is toshould
message put desired behaviours
motivate into
the targeted
audience to positive action. The objective is to put desired behaviours into
practice quickly, easily, and repeatedly.
audience to positive action. The objective is to put desired behaviours into
7-5: Promote the Damage Prevention Message

Practice Statement: Promoting the damage prevention message by
Practice Statement: Promoting the damage prevention message by
Practice
finding Statement:
creative ways toPromoting
influence the target
damage audience to: message by
prevention
finding creative ways to influence the target audience to:
finding creative ways to influence the target audience to:
x Listen attentively to the message
x Listen attentively to the message
x Remember what they
Listen attentively to theheard
message
x Remember what they heard
x Change
Remember their behaviour.
what they heard
x Change their behaviour.
xMultiple
Changestakeholders with similar goals and messages can partner together
their behaviour.
Multiple stakeholders with similar goals and messages can partner together
to reducestakeholders
Multiple costs and maximize impact.
with similar goals and messages can partner together
to reduce costs and maximize impact.
to reduce costs and maximize impact.
Practice Description: Promoting the damage prevention message can be
Practice Description: Promoting the damage prevention message can be
Practice
done Description:
through a variety of Promoting
means andthe media. Mailings
damage involvemessage
prevention delivering
cana be
done through a variety of means and media. Mailings involve delivering a
specific message
done through to a particular
a variety of meanstarget audience
and media. (e.g. -involve
Mailings specificdelivering
geographica
specific message to a particular target audience (e.g. - specific geographic
area, market
specific messagesector,
to aorparticular
demographic
targetcategory).
audience (e.g. - specific geographic
area, market sector, or demographic category).
area, market sector, or demographic category).
Professionally designed messages can be effective at securing the attention
Professionally designed messages can be effective at securing the attention
Professionally
of designed
a broader target messages
audience. (e.g.can be effective
newspaper at securing
advertising, thejournal
trade attention
ads,
of a broader target audience. (e.g. newspaper advertising, trade journal ads,
brochures,
of a broadersponsorships, transit
target audience. system
(e.g. signs, news
newspaper and weather
advertising, reports)ads,
trade journal
brochures, sponsorships, transit system signs, news and weather reports)
brochures, sponsorships, transit system signs, news and weather reports)
Where possible take advantage of free media, such as public service
Where possible take advantage of free media, such as public service
announcements
Where possible takemade by newspaper,
advantage of freeradio,
media,television
such as and available
public servicewebsites.
announcements made by newspaper, radio, television and available websites.
announcements made by newspaper, radio, television and available websites.
Promotional items present a method of promoting key messages and are
Promotional items present a method of promoting key messages and are
Promotional
branding items present a method of promoting key messages and are
opportunities.
branding opportunities.
branding opportunities.
7-6: Establish Strategic Relationships

Practice Statement: Develop strategic working relationships to assist in
Practice Statement: Develop strategic working relationships to assist in
Practice
the Statement:
promotion of damage prevention.
Develop strategic working relationships to assist in
the promotion of damage prevention.
the promotion of damage prevention.
Practice Description: Strategic relationships can be developed with others
Practice Description: Strategic relationships can be developed with others
who have Description:
Practice shared or similar issues,relationships
Strategic interests, and needs.
can These could
be developed withinclude
others
who have shared or similar issues, interests, and needs. These could include
industry
who haveassociations, equipment
shared or similar issues,manufacturers
interests, andand trade
needs. groups.
These Other
could include
industry associations, equipment manufacturers and trade groups. Other
stakeholders can include
industry associations, government
equipment agencies, emergency
manufacturers responders
and trade groups. Otherand
stakeholders can include government agencies, emergency responders and
media.
stakeholders can include government agencies, emergency responders and
media.
media.

76 Best Practices
Common – October
Ground 2014
Alliance
76
1.0 – October 2016
2014
7-7: Measure Results and Strive to Improve
7-7: Measure
Practice Statement: Results
Criticallyand
reviewStrive to Improve
the results and outcomes of the
marketing
Practice Statement: Critically review the results and what
plan initiatives. Identify what works well and does of
outcomes not.
the
Implement lessons learned and strive for continuous program improvement.
marketing plan initiatives. Identify what works well and what does not.
Implement lessons learned and strive for continuous program improvement.
Practice Description: Determine the effective elements of the marketing

plan to establish
Practice the framework
Description: for future
Determine plans. Gauge
the effective elements target audience
of the marketing
response to structured training and awareness initiatives. This
plan to establish the framework for future plans. Gauge target audience can be done
through
responsesurveying the intended
to structured target
training and audienceinitiatives.
awareness (via directThis
mail, telephone
can be done
etc.) to determine if behaviours have changed, and to what extent.
through surveying the intended target audience (via direct mail, telephone Changes
in damage statistics are another means to determine if a change
etc.) to determine if behaviours have changed, and to what extent. Changes in
behaviour
in damage for a general
statistics are area or ameans
another specifictooperator
determinehasif been effectively
a change in
produced by the marketing plan delivery.
behaviour for a general area or a specific operator has been effectively
producedand
Identify by address
the marketing
gaps inplan
the delivery.
marketing plan. Modify the program
accordingly
Identify andand strivegaps
address to improve to achieveplan.
in the marketing the program goal(s).
Modify the program
accordingly and strive to improve to achieve the program goal(s).

Best Practices
Common – October
Ground 2014
Alliance 77
1.0 – October 2016
2014 77
1.0 – October 2016
2014
8-0 Reporting and Evaluation Best
Practices
8 Reporting and
Evaluation
8-0 Reporting and Evaluation Best
Practices
8-1: Reporting Information
Practice Statement: All stakeholders have the opportunity to report
information.
Practice Description: Facility owners/operators, locators, excavators, or

those contracted by the owner /operator, can report information on
incidents that could have, or did lead to a damaged underground facility.
8-2: Standardized information

Practice Statement: Standardized information is reported.
Practice Description: The requested data is standardized and consists of

essential information that can be analyzed to determine what events could,
or did lead to a damaged facility. Collected data may include damage
information, downtime and near-misses.
8-3: Non-compliant Stakeholder

Practice Statement: Identify the non-compliant stakeholder
Practice Description: It is important to identify the non-compliant

stakeholder so that this group/sector can be targeted with education and
training.
8-4: Accuracy of Information

Practice Statement: Person reporting provides detailed information.
Practice Description: If all of the requested data is not available, the

person reporting the information provides the most complete information
possible.
8-5: Changes in Reporting Information

Practice Statement: Requested information may change.
Practice Description: The information required to be reported will be

revised, as needed, to adapt to the changes in the regulation or statutes, the
evolution of industry technology, and the awareness of root causes.
8-6: Process for Collecting Data

Practice Statement: A standardized form for collecting data is adopted.
Practice Description: Data is to be collected using a standardized form

that contains a list of the standardized questions that will be adopted or
developed by facility owners/operators, locators, excavators, or those
contracted by the owner/operator. All anonymous data collected will be
uploaded for geographical and general assessment & analysis.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 79
8-7: Training Process for Collecting Data
Practice Statement: Training is provided.
Practice Description: Training and education on how to complete and

submit the data is made available.
8-8: Common Database in Place

Practice Statement: A recommended organization is identified to receive
and maintain the data.
Practice Description: A common database is maintained. The Canadian

CGA regional partners Virtual Private DIRT (VPD) is currently the
recommended organization database.
References: DIRT Field Form – Appendix D.
8-9: Data Evaluation Process

Practice Statement: A committee evaluates the data.
Practice Description: The Reporting and Evaluating committee, with

representation from all interested stakeholders, performs evaluation of the
data.
8-10: Purpose of Data Collection

Practice Statement: Data is used to improve damage prevention efforts
and to elevate underground damage awareness.
Practice Description: The reported data is used to assess and improve

underground damage prevention efforts. The reported data is not to be
used to penalize or punish. Rather, it is used to elevate underground
damage awareness through recommended training and education.
8-11: Data Analysis

Practice Statement: Data is summarized by key components.
Practice Description: The reported data is summarized by key

components and made available to all industry stakeholders.
8-12: Root Cause

Practice Statement: Root causes are identified.
Practice Description: Root causes of damages or near misses are
identified. References: Root Tip Card see appendix D.
8-13: Quantifying Results

Practice Statement: Results are quantified against a standardized risk
factor.
Practice Description: Results are quantified against a standardized risk

1.0 – October 2016
2014
factor. The risk factor considers a stakeholder’s exposure to potential
damage. This risk factor may be based on factors such as the number of
kilometers of line installed or the number of locate notification tickets. For
example, a risk factor may compare how many underground damages
occurred in a certain period of time versus the total number of locate tickets
issued during the same period.
8-14: Results Comparison

Practice Statement: Performance levels and trends are assessed.
Practice Description: Performance levels and trends are assessed against

other organizations within the Canadian CGA regional partners or other
similar CGA affiliated organizations. Upon these assessments
recommendations to address the trends will be used to facilitate key
messages.
Reference:
CGA DIRT cga-dirt.com
Canadian CGA Regional Virtual Private DIRT

1.0 – October 2016
2014 81
1.0 – October 2016
2014
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms & Definitions
– Abandoned Line or Facility: Any underground or submerged line or
facility no longer in use or not in use at the present time.
– Accurate or Accuracy: the closeness of results of observations,

calculations, or estimates compared to the true value.
– Alternate Locate Agreement (ALA): A contractual agreement between

a facility owner and an excavator that allows the excavator to proceed with
their excavation work without receiving a traditional field locate.
– American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
– Attributes: numbers, abbreviations, and words that describe the physical

and spatial properties of the underground utility infrastructure used to
provide an aesthetic and useful map display.
– As-built: A representation of the as-constructed situation showing the

position and features of components as actually put in place.
– Backfill: The act of filling the void created by excavating or the material
used to fill the void.
– Canadian Radio-television & Telecommunication Commission

(CRTC)
– Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
– Cathodic Protection: The process of arresting corrosion on a buried or

submerged structure by electrically reversing the natural chemical reaction.
This includes, but is not limited to, installation of a sacrificial anode bed, use
of a rectifier based system, or any combination of these or other similar
systems. Wiring is installed between the buried or submerged structure and
all anodes and rectifiers; wiring is also installed to test stations which are
used to measure the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system.
– Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
– Compliance: Adherence to acts and regulations.
– Control Survey Monuments (horizontal): Existing survey monuments

with published coordinates that are geographically referenced with high
accuracy.
– Control Survey Monuments (vertical): Existing survey monuments,

commonly referred to as benchmarks, with published elevations that are
accurately referenced to a known vertical datum (mathematical reference
plane).
– Damage: Any impact, stress and/or exposure that results in the need to
repair an underground facility due to a weakening or the partial or complete
destruction of the facility, including, but not limited to, the protective
coating, lateral support, cathodic protection or the housing for the line,
device or facility.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 83
– Damage Reporting: The immediate reporting to appropriate authorities
and the facility owner/operator of any damage made or discovered in the
course of excavation or demolition work.
– Daylighting: The exposure of underground utility infrastructure by

minimally intrusive excavation practices to ascertain precise horizontal and
vertical position or other attributes. (Note: may also be referred to as
“potholing” or “test pitting".)
– Demarcation Point: The demarcation point (DM) is the point at which

the Facility Owner’s ownership of a distribution system, including connection
assets, ends. Privately owned infrastructure may continue from this point
that is not owned by or known to the Facility owner.
– Demolition Work: The intentional, partial or complete destruction by

any means of a structure served by, or adjacent, to an underground line or
facility.
– Depth: The vertical distance below grade.
– Designer: Any architect, engineer or other person who prepares or issues

a drawing or blueprint for a construction project or other activity that
requires excavation or demolition work.
– Electronic Mapping Data: Geospatial data that is in a format that can

be stored, edited, retrieved, viewed and shared electronically.
– Emergency: A sudden or unforeseen occurrence involving a clear and

imminent danger to life, health, or property; the interruption of essential
utility services; or the blockage of transportation facilities that requires
immediate action.
– Excavate or Excavation: An operation using equipment or explosives to

move earth, rock or other material below existing grade. (Note: Excavation
can include augering, blasting, boring, coring, digging, ditching, dredging,
drilling, driving-in, grading, plowing-in, pulling-in, ripping, scraping,
trenching and vacuuming).
– Event: The occurrence of an underground infrastructure damage, near

miss or downtime.
– Excavator: Any person proposing to or engaging in excavation or

demolition work for himself or for another person.
– Facility Owner/Operator: Any person, utility, municipality, authority, or

other person or entity who owns, operates or controls the operation of an
underground line/facility.
– Facility: See Utility Infrastructure.
– Geospatial Data: Data that identifies the geographic location

(latitude/longitude) and characteristics of natural or constructed features
and boundaries on the earth. Also includes facility location information and
notification areas.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
– Geographic Information System (GIS): An organized collection of
and used
software and data that is geographically referenced and used toto capture,
capture,
and display
store, update, maintain, analyze, and display geographically
geographically referenced
referenced
information.
– Geographically Referenced: aa point point on

on or
or near
near the
the Earth's surface that
defined coordinate
is defined horizontally by latitude and longitude or a defined coordinate
system.
– Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite

System (GNSS): Systems of satellites, ground stations, and receivers
receivers used
used
to determine geographically referenced positions on the earth.
– Grade (noun): The surface elevation.
– Grade (verb): The act of changing the surface elevation.
– Grounding Systems: A system of one or more ground conductors or

earth ground
ground rods providing a low resistance path to earth ground potential
potential
through a mechanical connection to structures, conductors and equipment.
– Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA)
– Joint Trench: AA trench

trench containing
containing two
two or
or more
more underground
infrastructures that are buried together by design or agreement.
agreement.
– Land Base: Electronic mapping data that depicts features of the surface of
of the
the earth
earth andand is tied
is tied to real-world
to real-world geographic
geographic coordinates,
coordinates, such
such as
as latitude
latitude
and and longitude.
longitude.
– Latitude (Lat): Distance measured north or south of the equator.
Locate of
– Limite (verb):
locate: The
Theprocess
North,ofSouth,
an underground
East and West plantboundaries
owner/operator or
or other
their agent providing
coordinates information
of the located area. to an excavator which enables them to
determine the location of a facility.
– Locate (verb): The process of an underground plant owner/operator or
– Locate
their agent(noun):
providing The provision of
information to location information
an excavator by an underground
which enables them to
facility owner
determine the(or their agent)
location in the form of ground surface markings and/or
of a facility.
facility location documentation, such as drawings, mapping, numeric
– Locate (noun):
descriptions or otherThe
written documentation.
provision of location information by an underground
facility owner (or their agent) in the form of ground surface markings and/or
– Locate
facility Form:
location Accompanyingsuch
documentation, documentation
as drawings, formapping,
a locate numeric
which is
completed byorthe
descriptions party
other providing
written the locate. A locate form may or may not
documentation.
contain the specific facility location details and/or drawings, but should in all
– Locate
cases Form:
contain administrative
Accompanying aspects of the locate
documentation forsuch as when,
a locate whichwhen,
is why
completed,by
completed andthewho completed
party providingit.the locate. A locate form may or may not
contain the specific facility location details and/or drawings, but should in all
– Locate
cases Request:
contain A communication
administrative aspects ofbetween
the locateansuch
excavator andwhen,
as when, the facility
why
owner/operator
completed, or their
and who agent (usually
completed it. the One Call Centre) in which a
request for locating underground facilities is processed.
– Locate Request: A communication between an excavator and the facility
owner/operator or their agent (usually the One Call Centre) in which a
request for locating underground facilities is processed.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 85
– Locate Ticket : A locate request document created by the One-Call
Centre or a facility owner/operator marked with a unique identification
number.
– Locator: A person whose job is to locate underground infrastructure.
– Longitude (Long): Distance measured east or west from the prime

meridian reference (Greenwich).
– LSP: Locate Service Provider - a person authorized by the underground

infrastructure owner to locate and mark its underground facilities.
– Map: A to-scale visual representation of geographically referenced

features on or near the Earth's surface.
– Mapping: The act or operation of making a map.
– Marks or Markings: Surface marking indicating the presence of

underground infrastructure including but not limited to highly visible paint
and/or labeled stakes or flags to indicate the approximate location of buried
facilities within the Located area.
– Ministry of Environmental & Energy (MOEE)
– National Best Practice Committee (NBPC)
– Near Miss: An event where damage did not occur, but a clear potential
for damage was identified.
– Notifications: Ticket data transmitted to underground infrastructure

owners. (New 06/2014)
– Notification Area : The geographic limits of coverage where a facility

owner/operator has facilities and wishes notification of excavation activities.
– One Call Centre: A system which provides a single point of contact to

notify facility owners/operators of proposed excavation activities.
– Person: Any individual or legal entity, public or private.
– Plant: See Utility Infrastructure.
– Practicable: where possible in practice having due regard to limiting

circumstances.
– Regional Best Practice Committee (RBPC)
– Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE): A term used in CI/ASCE 38-02

Standard Guideline for the Collection and Depiction of Existing Subsurface
Utility Data that refers to an engineering process for assessing the quality of
underground utility information provided by a map, plan or record.
– Survey Infrastructure: Property boundary monuments and control

survey monuments.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
–Technical
Ticket: AllStandards
data required& Safety
from anAct (TSSA)to transmit a valid notification
excavator
to the underground infrastructure owner.
–Test Holes: Exposure of a facility by safe excavation practices
–used to ascertain
Tolerance Zone: theThe precise
space in horizontal andisvertical
which a facility located, position of
and in which
underground
special care is tolines or facilities.
be taken.
–Ticket:
Underground
All data: Beneath
required the
fromground
an excavator
surfaceto
ortransmit a valid
submerged, notification
including
to the underground
where infrastructure
exposed by temporary owner.
excavation.
–Tolerance Zone: The

Utility: a private, spaceorincooperatively
publicly, which a facility is located,
owned and in which
entity whose purpose
special
is care ais commodity
to deliver to be taken.or service such as communications,
television/internet, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil, water, steam, and
– Underground
waste collection. : Beneath the ground surface or submerged, including
where exposed by temporary excavation.
– Utility Infrastructure: a cable, line, pipe, conduit, or structure used to
Utility:
–gather, a private,
store, publicly,
or convey or cooperatively
products or services. owned entityalso
(Note: may whose purposeto
be referred
is to deliver a commodity
as "facility" or "plant".) or service such as communications,
television/internet, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil, water, steam, and
waste
– Vacuumcollection.
Excavation: A means of soil extraction through vacuum where
water or air jet devices are commonly used for breaking the ground.
– Utility Infrastructure: a cable, line, pipe, conduit, or structure used to
gather, store, or convey products or services. (Note: may also be referred to
as "facility" or "plant".)
– Vacuum Excavation: A means of soil extraction through vacuum where

water or air jet devices are commonly used for breaking the ground.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 87
1.0 – October 2016
2014
Appendix B:
CCGA Best Practice Proposal Form &
Appendix B:
CCGA Best Practice Proposal Form & Best Practices Process
Appendix B:
CCGA Best Practice Proposal Form & Best Practices Process
Best Practices Committee
Name:
Name:
Proposal Form – New/Rev. Best Practice Date:
Proposal Form – New/Rev. Best Practice Affiliation:
Date: Name:
Phone:
Affiliation:
Proposal Form – New/Rev. Best Practice Date:
E-Mail:
Phone:
E-Mail: Affiliation:
TRANSACTION RECORD
Phone:
TRANSACTION RECORD
E-Mail:
TRANSACTION RECORD
Purpose: Describe the purpose of the proposed practice.
Purpose: Describe the purpose of the proposed practice.
Origin/Rationale: Briefly describe the origin/rationale behind the practice proposal.

Include any examples of existing practices.
Purpose: Describe
Origin/Rationale: Brieflythe purpose
describe of the proposed
the origin/rationale practice.
behind the practice proposal.
Include any examples of existing practices.
Origin/Rationale: Briefly describe the origin/rationale behind the

References: Provide references for any existing practices cited in Origin/Rationale.
practice proposal. Include any examples of existing practices.
References: Provide references for any existing practices cited in Origin/Rationale.

References: Provide references
Best Practices for1.0
Version any existing practices
– September 2014 cited in
Origin/Rationale. Canadian Common Ground Alliance
Best Practices Version 1.0 – September 2014
1.0 – October 2016
2014 89
RBPC receives, reviews & approves or declines proposed BPs changes as per
their regional process.
RBPC receives, reviews & approves or declines proposed BPs changes as per their regional
Regionally approved BP changes forwarded to NBPC using CCGA BP Form
process.
a minimum of 60 days before the next scheduled NBPC meeting.
Transaction record (TR) to be opened.
Regionally approved BP changes forwarded to NBPC using CCGA BP Form a minimum of 60 days
before the next scheduled NBPC meeting. Transaction record (TR) to be opened.
BPs posted in English & French on CCGA website for 60 day review period
by individual RBPCs
BPs posted in English & French on CCGA website for 60 day review period by individual RBPCs
NBPC reviews proposal & seeks consensus. Disposition of proposed changes to be

communicated to RBPC
NBPC reviews proposal submitting
& seeks consensus.the change,ofwithin
Disposition 30changes
proposed days of the NBPC meeting.
to be
communicated to RBPC submitting the change, within 30 days of the NBPC meeting.
Decline
(ReasonsDecline
for not Task Team Task Team
(Reasons Assign Recommendatio
Recommendati
Approve
Approve
proceeding Assign Task
on (within 60n (within 60
or recorded for not
& sent Team Task
B or to originator) days of days of
proceeding Team assignment)
recorded & assignment)
sent to
originator)
RBPCs receive for 30 days

additional consideration &
RBPCs receive
comments for 30
CCGA Board days additional
Approval
consideration &
CCGA Board comments
Approval If RBPC does not re-submit or proposal is
declined by the NBPC on 2nd review, it will not
proceed. Reasons for not proceeding will be
CCGA to issue stakeholder notices & recorded & sent to originator. Complete TR &
publish/post in English & French the new close.
BPÕs on the web within 15 calendar days.
Complete TR & Close. Close Transaction Record
A

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Appendix C: How to Read a Locate Sheet
Appendix C: How to Read a Locate Sheet
Canadian
Canadian Common Ground Alliance Alliance
Canadian
Best
Best PracticesCommon Ground
2.0
October
– October 2016
2014
CanadianCommon Alliance
Ground Alliance
1.0 – October 2016
2014
Best Practices Version 1.0 October 2014
92
Appendix D: DIRT Field Form &
Root Cause Tip Card


Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT)  Field Form


 Electric Engineer/Design Equipment Manufacturer
Excavator Insurance Liquid Pipeline Locator Natural Gas
OneCall Center Private Water Public Works Railroad
Road Builders State Regulator Telecommunications Unknown/Other

: 
 
              (MM/DD/YYYY)
                                    
                           

Public: City Street State Highway County Road Interstate Highway PublicOther
Private: Private Business Private Land Owner Private Easement
Pipeline Power /Transmission Line Dedicated Public Utility Easement
Federal Land Railroad Data not collected Unknown/Other
 

Cable Television Electric Natural Gas Liquid Pipeline Sewer (Sanitary Sewer)
Steam Telecommunications Water Unknown/Other 

Distribution Gathering Service/Drop Transmission Unknown/Other

Unknown Yes No

Unknown Yes No


Contractor County Developer Farmer Municipality Occupant
Railroad State Utility Data not collected Unknown/Other

Auger Backhoe/Trackhoe Boring Drilling Directional Drilling
Explosives Farm Equipment Grader/Scraper Hand Tools Milling Equipment
Probing Device Trencher Vacuum Equipment Data Not Collected Unknown/Other

Agriculture Cable Television Curb/Sidewalk Bldg. Construction Bldg. Demolition
Drainage Driveway Electric Engineering/Survey Fencing
Grading Irrigation Landscaping Liquid Pipeline Milling
Natural Gas Pole Public Transit Auth. Railroad Maint. Road Work
Sewer (San/Storm) Site Development Steam Storm Drain/Culvert Street Light
Telecommunication Traffic Signal Traffic Sign Water Waterway Improvement
Data Not Collected Unknown/Other


Yes (If Yes, Part F is required) No (If No, Skip Part F)
If Yes, which OneCall Center 
If Yes, please provide the ticket number 


Utility Owner Contract Locator Data Not Collected Unknown/Other

Yes No Data Not Collected Unknown/Other

Yes No Data Not Collected Unknown/Other

1.0 – October 2016
2014 93
Introduction
The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) is an organization promoting
efficient and effective damage prevention for Canada’s vital underground
infrastructure. Through a unified approach and stakeholder consensus, the

CCGA works to reduce damages to underground infrastructure - 
ensuring
public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services by

promoting effective damage prevention practices.

Yes No

We are a growing
Unknown
organization
Less than 1 hour 1 hour
and through
2 hours
the3 Regional Partners of the
or more hours Exact Value ______
Common Ground Alliance in Canada, we represent a wide cross-section of

stakeholders
Unknown $0 including:
$1 to 500 $501 to 1,000 $1,001 to 2,500 $2,501 to 5,000
$5,001 to 25,000 $25,001 to 50,000 $50,001 and over Exact Value ______
Electrical Distribution Land Surveying Railways


Electrical Transmission Landscape/Fencing Regulator
Yes No (i.e. near miss)

Engineering
Yes No Locator Unknown/Other
Data Not Collected Road Builders

Equipment
Unknown &LessSuppliers
than 1 hour Municipal
1 to 2 hrs 2 to&4 Public
hrs 4Works
to 8 hrs Safety
8 to 12 hrsOrganization
12 to 24 hrs
1 to 2 days 2 to 3 days 3 or more days Data Not Collected Exact Value _______
Excavator Oil & Gas Distribution
 Telecommunications
Unknown 0 1 2 to 10 11 to 50 51 or more Exact Value _______ 
Homebuilder One-Call
 Transmission Pipeline
Unknown $0 $1 to 500 $501 to 1,000 $1,001 to 2,500 $2,501 to 5,000
$5,001 to 25,000 $25,001 to 50,000 $50,001 and over Exact Value ______
Insurance

Unknown 0 1 2 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 99
For100over
or morea decade these stakeholder
Exact Value _______ groups have been active in promoting
“Call Before You Dig” and other good damage prevention practices through

Unknown 0 1 2 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 99
provincial
100 or more regional partnerships
Exact Value _______which have come together and
 amalgamated under the CCGA name to provide a single voice representing
 
the damage prevention community 
in Canada. The CCGA is the common

voice for damage
No notification made to theprevention
OneCall Center issues of a │ national Facilityscope.
could not be found or located
Notification to onecall center made, but not sufficient │ Facility marking or location not sufficient
The WrongCCGA hasprovided
information produced National
to One Call Center Harmonized
│ FacilityBest Practices
was not located or marked based on
│ │ Incorrect facility records/maps
the Ontario Regional Common
 
Ground

Alliance
│
Best Practices,

version 8.0
and theto product
Failure maintain marks of a collaborative effort │ among all Regional
OneCall Center error Partners of the
Common Ground
Failure to support exposedAlliance
facilities in Canada. The │ CCGA also acknowledges
Abandoned facility the
Failure to use hand tools where required │ Deteriorated facility
established Common
Failure to testhole (pothole) Ground Alliance Best
│ Practices (United
Previous damage States) initiated
byImproper
the Common Ground Study and presented
backfilling practices │ to the
Data U.S. Secretary of
Not Collected
Failure to maintain clearance │ Other
Transportation in June 1999.
Other insufficient excavation practices │

This set of National Harmonized  Best Practices 1.0 - 2014, is the first but,

through the commitment and consensus of its members working together

towards a safer Canada, will be part of an ongoing effort to develop new
damage prevention practices as well as improve existing ones. These
practices represent a dynamic statement of the type of activities that CCGA
believes would provide optimum levels of diligence towards preventing
damage to underground infrastructure. It is understood that not all
stakeholders are presently
in a position to adopt all of these practices,
 however, it is anticipated that progress will be made towards following these
 practices over time.

Comments and suggestions on improving the format and content are

welcome. Our intent is to make the statement of these Best Practices as easy
to use as possible. If we can improve upon what you see here, your input in
helping us do so would be most appreciated. All industry stakeholders are
welcome to submit suggestions and to join the Best Practice Committee.

Canadian Common 1.0 Ground
Alliance
– October 2016
2014
Root Cause Tip Card
LOCATING PRACTICES NOT SUFFICIENT
Facility could not be found or located Type of facility or lack of records prevented locating of facility.
Example: Plastic pipelines installed without tracer wire.
Facility marking or location not Includes all areas where marking was insufficient.
sufficient Example: Locator marked the work zone, but missed a service.
Locator misread the ticket and did not locate the entire work zone.
Locator did not use records or interpreted the records incorrectly.
Locator did not tone correctly.
Facility was outside the tolerance zone.
Facility was not located or marked No locating or marking was completed prior to excavation activities.
Example: The facility owner received a notification but did not mark
or locate.
Incorrect facility records/maps Incorrect facility records or maps led to an incorrect locate.
Example: Records do not accurately reflect current plant status.
ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION PRACTICES NOT SUFFICIENT
No notification made to the Excavator did not call the One-Call Center.
One-Call Center
Notification to One-Call Center made, The Excavator contacted the notification center, but did not provide
but not sufficient sufficient information, or the excavator did not provide sufficient notification
time according to requirements and guidelines.
Example: Excavator was excavating outside of the located area
Wrong information provided to the Damage occurred because an excavator provided the wrong
One-Call Center excavation information to the notification centre.
Example: Excavator indicated the wrong dig site.

1.0 – October 2016
2014 95
EXCAVATION PRACTICES NOT SUFFICIENT
Failure to maintain marks The marks deteriorated or were lost and the excavator failed to request that
they be restored/refreshed.
Failure to support exposed facilities Facility damage due to lack of support in accordance with generally
accepted engineering practices or guidelines.
Failure to use hand tools where required
Failure to test-hole (pot-hole) Failure to verify physical location of the facility when working within
tolerance zone as defined by accepted practices or guidelines.
Improper backfilling practices Damage caused by improper materials (ex. Large/sharp rocks) in the
backfill or improper compaction of the backfill.
Excavator failed to maintain clearance (defined by applicable guidelines,

law, and facility owners) from underground facilities when using power/
mechanical equipment.
Other insufficient excavation practices Excavator errors that do not fall under one of the above.
MISCELLANEOUS ROOT CAUSES
One-Call Centre error Includes all issues related to the center such as incorrectly entered data,
ticket transmission failures, et al.
Example: This would include damages that occurred because the center’s
database registry had not been updated to reflect correct location
of underground facilities.
Abandoned facility Damage related to abandoned facilities. Select a more specific root cause.
Example: The abandoned facility may have been located, instead of the
active facility. This does NOT include when an abandoned facility
is thought to have been locted, but it is found to be active after
the excavation exposed the facility or damaged it.
Deteriorated facility Those situations in which an excavation disrupts the soil around the facility
resulting in damage, failure or interruption of service. However, the
deterioration and not the excavation caused the facility damage.
Previous damage Damage occurred during previous excavation.

Example: Pipe coating was damaged during a previous excavation and
was not reported.
Data not collected Damage occurred, but Root Cause was not identified.
Example: Damage Investigator did not indicate a Root Cause.

1.0 – October 2016
2014
Annexe E : Regional Common Ground
Alliance Sponsors &
Alliance Supporters
Sponsors to follow
Alberta
Platinum
Gold
Appendix E: Regional Common Ground Allianc

Silver Sponsors & Canadian Common Gr
Alliance Supporters
mon Ground Alliance albeRTa CGa
nadian Common Ground
PLATINUM
rters
Bronze
Sponsors to follow
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Atlantic
aTlanTIC CGa
bRITIsH ColUMbIa CGa

PLATINUM

GOLD 1.0 – October 2016
2014 97
British Columbia
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze

98
Ontario
Gold
Silver
Bronze

99
Quebec
Gold
Silver
Bronze

100
Manitoba
ManIToba
ManIToba CGa
CGa
Sponsors
Sponsors to follow
to follow
QUebeC
QUebeC CGa
CGa
GOLD
GOLD
Saskatchewan
Gold
Silver
SILVER
SILVER
Bronze
BRONZE
BRONZE
sasKaTCHeWan
sasKaTCHeWan CGa
CGa
GOLD
GOLD
Canadian
SILVER CGA Supporters
SILVER
CanaDIan CGa
CanaDIan sUPPoRTeRs
CGa
CanaDIan sUPPoRTeRs
CGa sUPPoRTeRs
BRONZE
BRONZE

101
Canadian
Canadian Common
Common Ground
Ground Alliance
Alliance
CCGA
Chair
Info-Excavation
Moreau, Nathalie 2016-2017
(Québec CGA)
Executive Committee
Past Chair
British Columbia Common Ground
Baspaly, David 2014-2015
Alliance (BCCGA)
Executive Committee
ATCO Pipelines & Liquids Global Vice-Chair Executive
Reeve, Dean
Business Unit Committee
Canadian Association of Petroleum Treasurer Executive
Ferguson, Travis
Producers (CAPP) Committee
Enbridge Gas New Brunswick &
Secretary Executive
Scott, Todd Atlantic Canada Common Ground
Committee
Alliance
Sullivan, Michael President
(CCGA)
Director
Tweedie, James Canadian Gas Association
2013 Past Chair
Public Works Department
Saedal, Derrick Director
City of Winnipeg
Ontario Regional Common Ground
Munro, Ian Director
Alliance (ORCGA)
TransCanada Corporation & Manitoba
Loney, Steven Director
Common Ground Alliance
Saskatchewan Common Ground
Bakker, Dylan Director
Alliance (SCGA)
Saskatchewan Common Ground
Wilson, Luis Director
Alliance (SCGA)
Alberta Common Ground Alliance
Watson, Brad Director
(ABCGA)
Kirk, Sher Canadian One-Call Centres Committee Director
Smyth, Patrick Canadian Energy Pipeline Association Director
Neufeld, Shannon National Energy Board Federal Champion

Canadian Association of Geophysical
Doyle, Mike Director
Contractors
Durnie, Darwin American Public Works Association Director
Canadian Nursery and Landscape
Ramor, Brian Director
Association
Canadian Association of Pipeline &
Palaniuk, Randy Director
Utility Locating Contractors
Bradley, Francis Canadian Electricity Association Director
North American Telecommunications
Elliott, Leslie Director
Damage Prevention Council
Canadian Construction Association
Bellissimo, Vince Director
(CCA)
Peterson, Tanis The Railway Association of Canada Director
The Canadian Association of Energy
Kraayenbrink, Rick Director
Pipeline Landowner Associations
Alberta Common Ground Alliance
Tetreault, Michelle Director
(ABCGA)

102
CanaDIan CGa sUPPoRTeRs

Chair
Baspaly, David British Columbia Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA)

CCGA Best Practices - Volume 2.0 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CCGA Best Practices - Volume 2.0 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2014 Board of Directors

Bradley, Francis Canadian Electricity Association Director

Doyle, Mike Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors Director

Durnie, Darwin Canadian Public Works Association Director

Ferguson, Travis Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Director

Kirk, Sher Canadian One-Call Centres Committee Director

Ramor, Brian Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association Director

• The CCGA Best Practices manual is an educational guide and a general

• The practice statements and descriptions outlined in each chapter of the

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) is a non-profit

Damage Prevention is a Shared Responsibility

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance

To participate in the CCGA Best Practices work or to participate in any com-

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Practice Statements & Descriptions

4-0 Excavation Best Practices................................................... 49

7-0 Public Education Best Practices........................................... 77

Appendix C: How to Read a Locate Sheet............................. 91

Appendix E: Regional Common Ground Alliance Sponsors

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Practice Description: Pre-planning for utility placement within current or

Planning practices, such as joint trenching and the development of Utilidors,

Consideration should be given to the development of provincially consistent

1. Accurate information as to the location of underground utilities in a

2. Safe, efficient, and effective installation, placement, operation and

3. Efficient and effective utilization of land.

4. Easy identification and location of underground utilities in future

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

1-2: The Protection of Survey Infrastructure

1-3: Inclusion of Utility Infrastructure on

Benefits: The requirement that utility infrastructure locations be identified

1-4: Gathering Information for Design Purposes

Practice Description: During the planning or preliminary design phase of

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Project owners utilize some basic practices when performing a survey of

1. Use all available existing utility facility records to obtain information

3. Use appropriate instruments to determine the approximate horizontal

4. Use test holes to positively determine the exact location of existing

1-5: Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)

Practice Description: SUE is applied during the design phase to locate,

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Benefits: Providing complete underground facility information and

At 30% Design Review

Minutes should be prepared by the project Manager or his/her consultant

At the second utility coordination meeting, the utility companies should be

 Approval in principle is given for the overall co-ordination plan

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

1-7: Utility Coordination

Practice Description: Project Owners should circulate design drawings to

Utility coordinating committees provide a mechanism through which win-

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Benefits: Regular communication between utility owners/operators,

Communications among project owners and facility owners/operators should

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Communications between project owners and facility owners/operators

1-8: Underground Facilities should be Locatable

Practice Description: No underground facilities should be installed that

Canadian Common Ground Alliance

1. In planning the designer should obtain a list of affected facilities and

2. In the installation of additional underground facilities, the designer

Benefits: The design includes provisions to aid in future locates. In

1-9: Follow All Applicable Codes, Regulations, and

Approval in principle is given for the overall co-ordination plan