Can I hire a private locate contractor instead of waiting for 811/One Call?

Not for digging. Private contractors cannot mark public utilities unless authorized by the utility owner. They can request maps and provide pink 'design locates' for planning only. Digging must be based on sanctioned public locates.

Who is responsible if a utility strike occurs?

Responsibility depends on whether the excavator requested locates, verified markings, and escalated any limitations. Skipping these steps can result in liability.

Why can’t some utility lines be located?

Some lines are unlocatable due to lack of tracer wire, shielding, or continuity. These include plastic pipes and some fiber optics. Alternate methods like GPR or CCTV may be needed.

Is the Know Before You Dig training valid in both Canada and the U.S.?

Yes. The training covers both Canadian and U.S. standards and can be customized to align with provincial or OSHA guidelines.

Own Your Safety Utility Locate FAQs – Public vs. Private Locates

Q: What is a utility locate?

A utility locate identifies and marks buried infrastructure such as gas lines, water pipes, or telecom cables before excavation. It helps prevent strikes and is typically required by law in most regions through systems like 811 in the U.S. or One Call in Canada.

Q: What’s the difference between public and private locates?

Public locates mark infrastructure owned by public utilities and are requested through 811 or One Call. Private locates mark infrastructure owned by property owners or private entities beyond the public demarcation point and must be arranged separately.

Frequently Asked Questions – Utility Locates & Excavation Safety

1. What is a utility locate?
A utility locate is the process of identifying and marking the position of buried infrastructure such as gas lines, hydro cables, water pipes, or communication lines before excavation. Locate requests are typically made through a call-before-you-dig system (e.g., 811 in the U.S., Click Before You Dig (One Call) in Canada), and are critical to prevent utility strikes.

2. What’s the difference between public and private locates?
A public locate identifies infrastructure owned by public utilities (e.g., municipal water, electric companies, etc.), and is provided through free One Call systems.
A private locate identifies buried infrastructure owned by property owners or private entities (e.g., site lighting, gas loops, telecom fiber installed after construction). These are not marked through One Call and require hiring a private locate contractor.

3. The free public locates 811/One Call take too long. Can I just hire a private locate contractor to mark everything?

Not for digging purposes. While private locate contractors can be hired to identify buried utility infrastructure, they are not authorized to mark public utilities for excavation unless they have a direct contract with the utility owner. In most cases, public utility owners require you to submit a locate request through the One Call or 811 system, even if it takes longer. However, not all utility owners are registered with One Call, and in those cases, you must contact the utility owner directly for a locate.

A private locate contractor may work "blind" without utility maps or request them from the one call operator or utility owner and perform a “design locate”. These are typically marked in pink to show approximate locations for planning purposes only. You cannot excavate based on pink markings. They are visual references only and must be followed by proper utility-owner-sanctioned locates before digging begins.

To stay compliant and protected, always follow the legal process for public locates and supplement with private locates when necessary.

4. Do I need a locate on private property?
Yes. One Call will typically only mark public utilities up to the demarcation point. If you're working on private property, especially beyond the meter or main service line, you need a private locate to identify non-registered infrastructure that may still be buried on site .

5. What is a private locate contractor?
Private locate contractors are specialized technicians or companies hired to locate buried utility lines that are not marked by One Call systems. These locators use advanced tools such as EM transmitters, ground penetrating radar (GPR), or CCTV cameras with sondes trace unregistered or site-specific utility lines.

6. Is it illegal to dig without a locate?
Yes, in most North American jurisdictions it is a legal requirement to obtain a utility locate before disturbing the ground. Failing to do so may result in fines, liability for damages, or legal consequences depending on local laws.

7. Why can’t some lines be located?
Some infrastructure is considered unlocatable because it lacks conductive material, tracer wire, or continuity between endpoints. For example, plastic water pipes or fiber optic cables without bonded sheath continuity may not carry a signal, making them invisible to EM locating tools .

8. What does “unlocatable” mean?
“Unlocatable” refers to buried utilities that cannot be traced using standard electromagnetic methods. These lines often require alternative methods such as ground penetrating radar, CCTV pipe inspection, or acoustic locating equipment.

9. What is the KNOW Before You Dig training course?
KNOW Before You Dig™ is North America’s only training program that covers both public and private utility locate processes, excavation safety best practices, and real-world damage prevention scenarios. It is used by contractors, engineers, and HSE teams across Canada and the U.S. to ensure compliance and reduce utility strike risk.

10. Is the training valid in both Canada and the U.S.?
Yes. The training is designed to reflect the regulations, standards, and best practices across Canada and the U.S.

11. What does public vs. private locate ownership mean?

Public locators mark infrastructure owned by utility companies up to the demarcation point—the point where ownership and maintenance responsibility shifts from the utility to the property owner. Private locators are hired to identify infrastructure beyond that point, typically on private property.

Many people assume that public locates cover public property and private locates cover private property, but that’s a misconception. It’s about ownership, not land designation.

The demarcation point varies across North America, but the general rule is:

Utility owners are responsible for locates up to the shut-off, meter, or building point of entry.
Beyond that point, it becomes private infrastructure, and it’s the property owner’s responsibility to locate and maintain it.

A good rule of thumb: wherever the public locator stops marking, the private locator should continue—carrying the line all the way to the building.

12. What are my responsibilities under public vs. private locates?
Even completed public locates can leave private infrastructure unmarked. You’re responsible for requesting both and ensuring your team respects locate limits.

13. What are utility marking colors and why do they matter?
Colored spray markings identify buried utility types (e.g., red = electric, yellow = gas, blue = water) using APWA standards. Understanding the color code helps you avoid strikes.

14. Who is responsible when locates are missed and a strike occurs?
Liability often involves multiple parties: public locators, private locators, landowners, or excavators, depending on communication, documentation, and whether locate limits were respected.

15. Why is a private locate needed even for tasks like stump grinding?
Private buried utilities such as gas or water lines can run through stumps. Without a private locate, even minor work can lead to major strikes and damages.