Key Elements |
The key elements of a “good” locate are:
• adequate training,
• suitable equipment,
• adequate records and
• adequate time.
If any one or more of these elements is missing, the quality of the locate will suffer.
Locators have an obligation to provide sufficient information to anyone undertaking a ground disturbance to allow the ground disturber to complete his or her work safely and in compliance with the governing regulations. Locators should:
• understand the nature, purpose and scope of a proposed ground disturbance,
• identify and mark the locations of all facilities, potentially in conflict with a proposed ground disturbance, in accordance with governing regulations, industry practice and best practices,
• mark the locations of buried facilities adequately to show the horizontal alignment,
• advise the ground disturber of any special conditions, concerns or requirements,
• provide documentation of the locates performed to the ground disturber,
• ensure locate documentation is adequate to allow the re-establishment of the locate marks,
• ensure that the ground disturber understands the locates, their limitations and the documentation,
• perform locates safely,
• report any record errors found to the operator of the buried facility,
• recognize and accept that they have three sets of customers to satisfy:
