Missed Utility Locates: Excavators Double Checking Locate Marks

Here is a sneak peak at our newest Planet Underground Episode "Glorified Locators".

Our Planet Underground crew met up with NPL Construction, a large contractor firm based out of Chicago, as they were working gas main replacement in the West Elston neighborhood. One of the first things to do on the job is to check the utility locate marks, but what if those marks aren't completely accurate? Or in this case 9 feet off?

Watch the full episode now!

[OneShot_G]

I work for a small locate company that took over gas and electric from a big company and all the contractors I deal with are thrilled with the job that we do compared to the previous company. We still have a metric to hit for the company to make money 2 tickets per hour or equivalent T&M I really like it here.

[mshinn]

I have been in the locate industry since 1989 and it seems like the large contract locate companies are getting worse and worse. It all goes back to ticket pricing. Locate contracts are given to lowest bidder and this creates a problem. Pricing in my area has gone backwards so the companies that win contracts cannot afford to pay field technicians a good salary or spend time to correctly train them. I manage a group that provides SUE services and we fix 811 locate marks for contractors on a daily basis. I call in a one call request and IF it even gets marked 80% of the marks are off. We spot utilities with vac trucks and document everything and it is scary how bad the 811 industry has become. Be safe out there and if you are a contractor get someone (private company or hire someone in house) that has experience to verify the marks.

[repairdrive]

Was he locating the gas while still hooked up to that hose bib??

[LuisSanchez]

What kind of locating equipment do you use? That seems pretty easy to use.