Page 58 - CCGA Best Practices Version English

4-4: Locate Reference Number

Practice Statement: The excavator receives and maintains a reference
number from the notification service that verifies the locate was requested.
Practice Description: All calls from excavators processed by the
notification service 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 notification service, the requestor and the owner. 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 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
owner and the project owner where temporary or permanent interruption of
a owner’s service is required.

Practice Description: Any temporary or permanent interruption requires
the active participation by the owner 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
work requiring excavation from different specialty contractors simultaneously.

Canadian Common Ground Alliance
Best Practices Version 3.0 – October 2018
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