Excavation Damage Prevention Locate and Mark Verification

Inspection template for verifying 811 locate tickets, utility markings, white-lining, tolerance zone controls, and pre-excavation safeguards before digging near buried gas and other underground utilities.

Inspection Details and Work Scope

• Excavation location, date, and crew identified
  Record the job location, inspection date/time, and responsible crew or foreman.
• Excavation type and planned depth documented
  Describe the planned excavation method and expected depth/extent of disturbance.
• Work area is within scope of an active 811 locate ticket
  Verify the planned excavation area is covered by a current, valid locate ticket before any ground disturbance.

811 Ticket and Utility Response Verification

• 811 ticket number recorded and matches the work area
  Document the ticket number and confirm it corresponds to the exact excavation location.
• Utility locate responses received before excavation start
  Confirm all required utility owners have responded or the site has been cleared according to local one-call requirements.
• Ticket is current and not expired or stale
  Verify the ticket is still valid for the current date, work scope, and excavation window.
• Utility owners or locator contact information available on site
  Confirm contact information is available for follow-up if markings are unclear, damaged, or incomplete.

White-Lining and Surface Markings

• Proposed excavation area was white-lined before locate request
  Verify the excavation footprint was marked with paint, flags, stakes, or other visible white-lining before utility locating.
• Utility markings are visible, legible, and continuous
  Check that locate marks can be clearly seen and interpreted across the full work area.
• Mark color and symbols are consistent with utility type
  Verify markings use the expected color code and symbols for the identified utility owners and facility types.
• Markings were refreshed or re-marked after weather, traffic, or site disturbance
  Confirm any faded, damaged, or displaced marks were updated before excavation began.

Tolerance Zone and Excavation Controls

• Tolerance zone boundaries are identified on site
  Verify the crew understands the tolerance zone around marked utilities and has identified where extra caution is required.
• Hand digging or non-destructive excavation is used within the tolerance zone
  Confirm mechanical excavation is not used where utility marks indicate the tolerance zone and hand exposure is required.
• Spotter or competent person is assigned during excavation near marked utilities
  Verify a competent person or designated spotter is present when excavation approaches marked facilities.
• Mechanical equipment exclusion distance is being maintained
  Confirm equipment operators are staying outside the required clearance until utilities are positively exposed or otherwise cleared.

Gas Facility and Site Safety Controls

• Gas facilities are treated as critical utilities during excavation planning
  Verify buried gas lines are identified as critical hazards in the job plan and crew briefing.
• Emergency response and utility notification procedure is available
  Confirm the crew knows who to contact and what to do if a line is damaged, exposed, or suspected to be leaking.
• No visible signs of gas odor, hissing, or abnormal soil disturbance
  Observe the work area for signs that could indicate a gas release or prior utility strike.