Utility locates for dig jobs in Peel

If you’re a contractor (excavator) doing a low-risk, low-impact construction dig, consider signing up for an Alternate Locate Agreement (ALA).

An ALA is a special arrangement between a utility and the excavator. An ALA must be prearranged before digging.

ALA benefits for excavators

ALAs help excavators:

• Avoid the lengthy process of getting utility locates for low-risk dig jobs.
• Reduce the number of unnecessary locate requests.
• Reduce the time it takes to complete work.

ALA criteria

To qualify for an ALA, the work must follow risk-based tolerance and be deemed low-risk with the utility owner.

Ontario One Call (ON1Call) is an organization that collects data for future dig jobs and notifies utility owners in the dig area.

Excavators planning to dig must contact Ontario One Call using a special Contractor ID.

If an excavator doesn’t have a Contractor ID, they can sign up for one.

ON1Call’s notification system will tell the excavator whether or not traditional field locates will be needed for the utility due to the agreement.

The excavator must understand the terms of the agreement for safety and compliance.

An ALA can be used for:

• Hand excavation without depth limitation.
• Digging to a depth of 0.6m with machine (watching out for surface assets).
• Digging to a depth of 0.9m for tree replacement in same area.
• Digging to a depth of 0.9m for street sign installation.
• Using a vacuum excavator under 1500 PSI for particular jobs.

A maximum of 1 pipe joint of any Peel plant may be exposed during the excavation.

These methods of work are not permitted:

• Picks or bars
• Tunneling bars
• Directional boring
• Geotechnical drilling

For more information about ALAs, email Peel Region’s Damage Prevention Team.

Allowable work for an ALA means excavation shall meet the following criteria within the Peel operating area.

• Geographic Scope: The Regional Municipality of Peel
• Cautions: Digging around any Peel Plant at grade must be conducted in a safe manner without causing any damage.
• All depth requirements are from the original grade.
• A maximum of one (1) pipe joint of any Peel plant may be exposed during the excavation for all dig jobs.

Hand excavation without depth limitation

Hand excavation includes excavation without depth limitations.

No picks or bars are allowed.

0.6m with mechanical equipment

Digging to a municipal property maximum depth of 0.6m with a machine, watching out for surface assets.

Use of mechanical equipment only to:

• Remove, repair, and install a concrete sidewalk.
• Remove, repair, and install an asphalt pavement.
• Grinding (milling) pavement
  
  Note: 
  
  a. Long stretches shall be called in as a single ON1Call ticket.
  b. If non-grinding (non-milling) work is required along stretch (for example, storm repair) a separate ON1Call ticket must be called for any work involving excavation greater than 0.6m.

0.9m tree replacement

Digging to a municipal property maximum depth of 0.9m for tree replacement in same area.

0.9m street sign installation

Digging to a depth of 0.9m for street sign installation.

Hydro excavation work

• All hydro excavation work is to be completed with the conditions outlined in the Guideline for Excavation in the Vicinity of Utility Lines (jointly published by the Electrical Safety Authority and the Technical Standards & Safety Authority).
• Maintenance, repair, removal and replacement of existing roadside features
• Utility pole replacement in the same location
• Slot trenching for daylighting, or installation of underground services (for example, cable, gas, street lighting, electrical).
  The following clearances must be maintained between the outside wall of the Peel plant and other underground structures:
  • Horizontal: 1.0m minimum
  • Vertical: 0.5m minimum
• Pre-engineering design for the purpose of infrastructure depth surveys to determine the location of existing underground utilities. The purpose is to map out existing infrastructure to determine the location of utilities that are presently underground within the future construction site.

A Dedicated Locator project is started by a project started by a Project Owner who wants to use a single locate service provider (Dedicated Locate Service Provider (DLSP)) over the course of the entire project.

The DLSP will complete all underground infrastructure locates within the project boundaries, allowing for continual delivery of locates whenever needed.

A Dedicated Locator project is beneficial for large-scale and long-lasting projects that have complicated requirements.

Dedicated Locator benefits

The benefits to having a Dedicated Locator on your project include:

• Improved productivity.
• Reduction in downtime for the project since the locates are completed under the direction of the single project owner.
• More control. Project owners can get locates when, where, and as often as needed.
• Enhanced flexibility within the project to deal with delays or conflicts that can change the timeline or scope.
• The provision of a negotiation stage to solve unexpected concerns that arise within a project or region.

How a Dedicated Locator Request works

1. The project Owner submits a 90 Day Notice or Regional Request Notice to ON1Call and selects an approved Dedicated Locator Service Provider (DLSP).
2. ON1Call identifies all the Buried Infrastructure Owners (Members) in the location area of the project or Region and notifies them of the upcoming use of a Dedicate Locator.
3. The Members provide the DLSP with the necessary infrastructure records/mapping within 10 business days. This can be discussed in the DL agreement between the PO, Member, and DLSP, depending on the project scale.
4. The DLSP must complete the submitted locates within 10 business days.

For more information about the Dedicated Locator service, refer to Dedicated Locator - Ontario One Call.