Page 10 - Tennessee811

Where and What to
The other day, after picking up my 5-year-old grandson, Greyson, we were waiting in the car wash line. He asked if I knew, “what those blue flags are for.” Mind you, his dad is a locator. I said, “No”, so he told me it was for water. I followed up with, “Why are there so many in a line?” His reply was, “So that they won’t break it when they dig.”
I proceeded to ask him about the red flags. “Electric,” he said.
Mark?
“The yellow?” He replied with, “Gas.”
“What if there was green paint?” Greyson’s response was a simple, “Sewer.”
That is the Question
By Dean Anderson Damage Prevention Liaison Tennessee811
Wanting to know more, I asked him if he knew what the scope of a ticket was. He replied, “No, I don’t”. His response is one that locators experience sometimes daily when they arrive at a location request leaving them scratching their heads and frustrated with ambiguous marking instructions.
The “scope of a ticket” is simply what is being asked of
the locator to mark, listing the boundaries requested. Instructions for the scope of the ticket can be either complex or simple for the locator. Once the locator arrives on site, he or she needs to interpret the instructions using their skills to complete the locate request.
An example of an easy set of instructions can be “MARK THE FRONT OF PROPERTY AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOUSE WHEN FACING FROM THE STREET” to the more complicated “FROM INTER GO SE APPROX 115’ TO POLE N6196 LOCATED ON THE S SIDE OF THE ROAD. FROM POLE N6196 GO SW APPROX. 125’ TO WOODEN STAKE IN THE GROUND. MARK A 50’ RADIUS OF WOODEN STAKE IN GROUND.” Depending on the type and nature
of the work being performed the marking instructions can enhance or detract from the locator’s ability to complete time-sensitive requests without delays.
As a former locator and supervisor, I have found that if the contractor, utility, or excavator can do some of the following it can have a positive effect in reducing the number of delays, mismarks and damage to the utility infrastructure:
1) Communication between the excavator and locator. This is crucial to the clarification of marking instructions or scope of work accomplished by the sharing of contact information and onsite meetings centering on the work being performed.
2) The submittal of locate requests for work that can only be completed during the lifespan of the ticket.
3) Avoid submission of just-in-case or back-up tickets as this creates unnecessary stress and work for locators.
4) The utilization of and complying with the white paint provision of the law to clearly define the work area produces a more efficient locate technician.
5) Lastly, do not request both sides of the road to be marked if not necessary.
These are but a few of the practices that, when utilized, can have a positive impact on the locating industry bringing about an accurate and timely completion to an excavator’s locate request.
8 • Tennessee811
2024, Issue 3