Excavators Role
Anyone planning to excavate is required to:
- Give notice no more than 10 days, no less than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the excavation.
- Familiarize you and your employees with your state and federal one call laws.
- Provide accurate and specific information concerning the site and the extent or scope of the work. Outline dig site with white paint to provide locators the precise location of your job.
- Must determine the precise location of the underground facilities. This is done by digging test holes by hand before using any powered or mechanized equipment. Protect and support the exposed facilities.
- Dig with care once the facilities are located to reduce damage to exposed facilities.
- Notify operators of underground facilities if precise location can’t be found.
- Notify operators of underground facilities immediately when any damage occurs to facilities.
- Excavators must delay backfilling in the damaged area until repairs are made.
White Lining/White Paint
White lining is an excellent way for the excavator to communicate the intended excavation site to the facility owner. The excavator marks the proposed excavation area with white paint prior to the locate request. When you place the locate request please be sure to indicate the site has been white lined.
White lining will benefit everyone involved in your excavation. It allows locators to match marks with the information provide in your request to provide quality locates and reduce unnecessary time on job site. In the event of an incident white lining can help provide details with claim adjuster investigations.
