TOOLBOXTOPICS.COM
PRE-EXCAVATION CHECK LIST
DO NOT DIG WITHOUT LOCATE MARKS
Complete and sign this sheet prior to excavation taking place.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE SHOP OBTAIN LOCATE NUMBERS AND:
Check to see if locates has been completed (look at due date).
Make sure you have a field sketch or if one was left at job site.
If you do not have what you need as listed above, do not leave the shop. See your Supervisor
ON THE JOB SITE
Pre-Survey (checking for locates)
Check for field sketch.
Check for all facility marks on ground.
Verify all service feeds from buildings and homes and that they have been located and/or that they are aerial.
Draw a sketch of the marked facilities for future use.
Check for any visible signs of pedestal, riser, new trench lines that may have been missed in your dig area.
Check to make sure that dig area is defined and is same on locate sketch when possible.
Check for any private facilities not located. If they are not located, locate them or contact someone to get them located.
If there are high priority facilities in your dig area, make sure facility owner/locator is on job site and/or has been contacted for advice
If lines are not located completely, consult locate card and contact responsible party.
Public and Private Utilities
Ask for assistance from homeowner and utilize locating equipment and use common sense.
Locate septic lines.
Locate water yard lines.
Locate private power lines to sheds, wells, invisible fences, etc.
Locate private gas or propane lines.
Locate sprinkler lines and heads and drip systems.
Draw a sketch of locations for all private facilities on job site.
Locate telecommunication cable (TV, Telephone, fiber optics, etc.)
EXCAVATING
If paralleling or working on a critical or high priority line, pot hole or use locating equipment to expose and verify location and depth of facility every 100 feet.
Hand dig within 24 inches (or as required in your state) of lines, peds, pole risers, meters or other structures.
Bore away from facilities.
Verify depth of any facilities boring across, change route or depth as required, notify supervisor.
Do not place excavated dirt on locate marks, flags, whiskers,etc.
Support all lines exposed during excavation to avoid kinks or other damage.
BACKFILLING
Shade all lines placed or exposed with good fill dirt.
Verify all fill dirt is free from rocks, cable trash, crew trash, and large dirt clods.
PLEASE DIG SAFELY
As an excavator, you are responsible for verifying that all facilities within the dig area have been located.
You are responsible for locating all private and public facilities. Have the homeowner assist you if needed.
Completed By:_____________________
Date:______________