The Call Before You Dig Process

What is Call Before You Dig?

Call Before You Dig, also known as 811, is a free service used for marking and identifying buried underground public utilities.  This service is required to be ordered prior to any excavation in easements or other areas wherein utilities are present.  This service does NOT mark utility lines buried on private property, however there are subcontractors that we are able to mobilize in the event that private property marking is needed.  

Excavator Responsibilities

An Excavator (the person who is performing the excavation) is responsible for:

• Requesting the one-call ticket; it is not the client’s responsibility.
• Immediately reporting the damage or exposure of any underground utility to the one-call center.  If a gas line has been hit or damaged, you must also call 911.
• Knowing and following the tolerance zones for digging around the locators’ markers.  
• Providing your client with the appropriate ticket number prior to beginning work.
• Requesting a line locate at least two business days, excluding weekends and holidays, before beginning work.
• Providing accurate driving directions with distances and cardinal headings (North, South, East, West) when working in rural areas.
• Confirming the response of the notified utilities before proceeding with any excavation.
• Notifying the one-call center after determining that one or more utilities have not responded to a locate request.
• Looking for utility signage at your work site and obeying instructions on those signs.
• Following safe digging practices and maintaining equipment condition to ensure safety standards.
• Look over the Pre-Excavation Checklist
• Read the Texas811 Excavator Guide with Ch 18 and Ch 251.

Read more: https://www.texas811.org/ 

This article has been shared by Direct Service, Construction and Design to specifically accommodate our intended clientele.  The intent of sharing this information is to better inform the public of these general topics, expand knowledge and safety for all and provide crucial information in regard to their MEP and building systems and/or assets. It is NOT our recommendation that any article recommendations or how-to scenarios be attempted by anyone other than a qualified or competent person.