Whether the projects are large scale, or simply digging out a new garden or putting up a fence, everyone is required to Click Before You Dig.
Ground Disturbance, that is, any work, operation or activity that results in a disturbance of the earth, requires that you contact a One-Call center in order to learn what utilities are buried in your dig site. Common utilities are pipelines, power-lines, natural gas lines, sewage and water lines, internet and TV lines.
Some utilities are buried less than 60cm deep. Disturbance protocol states that when digging to a depth of more than 30cm an AB One Call Ticket should be placed and the utilities should be located prior to excavating.
What’s the risk?
For one, you could get seriously hurt. In some cases, it can even cause death. If you hit a gas line, it could cause a gas leak, and it takes just one spark to cause a major explosion. If you hit an electrical line you could be electrocuted. People have lost limbs, suffered brain damage, severe burns and/or died because they hit an underground electrical line.
You could also cause property damage — not just to your own home but also to your neighbours’ property, or the city’s. Hitting a water line could flood your home or a city street, and hitting a sewer line could lead to contamination.
There’s also the monetary cost. At the end of the day, guess who’s stuck with the repair bill? That’s right: you are. Some homeowners may even face legal action.
Before you pick up that shovel, remember to always ClickBeforeYouDig.com prior to every digging project. Having buried utility lines is a free service; there’s no excuse not to call or click. Plan your landscaping projects ahead of time and request a locate one week in advance.
Know What’s Below and Dig Safe!
Want to learn even more? Check out our Blog posts on Safe Digging, Line Locating and more!
3-D Ground Disturbance & Management
Q & A With 3-D: How Do You Locate Lines?
Whats Required Before You Start Digging?
What Do All The Marker Colours Mean?
3-D Line Locating Ltd is a privately owned Buried Pipeline and Utility Locating, Hydrovac Services and Ground Disturbance Management company. For over 20 years, we have been at the forefront of the Damage Prevention industry in Western Canada. Although the industry has changed significantly over the last 20 years, we have been very fortunate to have been at the leading edge of the evolution and still maintain the highest levels of quality, accuracy, consistency and customer satisfaction in our industry.
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