Locate concerns in Ottawa

•     Are you aware that starting in 2008 the fine is $50,000 for a first offence for cutting a gasline without a utility locate (call before you dig)?

•     Are you aware that there is a zero tolerance policy for offenders from the Technical Safety Standards Association (TSSA), the guys who prosecute people for cutting utilities? That’s because as many as 40 per cent of contractors don’t get locates, are cutting utility lines and people are getting hurt or worse, killed.

•     Are you also aware that the current waiting time is three to four weeks to receive locates in the Ottawa region?
Do you need locates? Then you need to be prepared to react. Below is some background information on wait times, what Landscape Ontario is doing to help you and some suggestions on how your company can move things along quicker.

Overview

Landscape Ontario has been made aware of some challenges in the utility location industry in Ottawa that affects you, the member and has been working to find helpful solutions for you.

You are aware of “call before you dig” and Ontario One Call. In the Ottawa region, these locate services were carried out by two private firms, Promark and Baycad. These two companies have now become one and operate under the Promark name.

In the last two years there has been a 58 per cent increase in requests for locates in Ottawa due to government infrastructure projects and a stronger economy. In previous years there was a wait of five working days. With the amalgamation of the two locate service providers the wait time has extended to four to five weeks and Promark does not see itself catching up on the backlog until the end of June at the earliest.

What is Landscape Ontario doing to help you?

LO has engaged Terry Murphy to investigate the problem and initiate contact with the underground industry. Terry sat on the board of directors of the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance for seven years and knows the players. He is in contact with the locators and pushing them for special treatment under these adverse and unusual conditions.

He is working closely with Promark to get the locates you need when you need them. Do not proceed without locates or an Alternative Locators Agreement (ALA).

“One option for irrigation contractors in the longer term,” says Murphy, “is to apply for the Alternative Locators Agreement (ALA) with each of the utilities. This allows a company to dig to a depth of 12 inches without locates.”

As well, planning for next year is being addressed with Promark to insure that this does not occur again.

Suggestions to help you

•     Always call Ontario One Call and get locates prior to digging 1-800-400-2255

•     Call early - as many weeks in advance of your expected start date as possible. But remember, locates expire after 30 days and you then need a ‘remark’

•     Get ticket numbers - these ticket numbers, given to you by the locate company, mean you are in the queue

•     Call seven to ten days prior to work commencing – ask for the status of the ticket number if you haven’t received the locate information. You will be told when they expect to do the locate

•     Still waiting for locate notification? - Call again three days prior to work commencing and check the status (don’t wait until the day before). Sometimes the locate has been done but you have not been notified yet

•     Locate still not done? – explain to the dispatcher that your staff will not be able to work that day without the locate and ask for a priority status. We have been told they will do everything they can to help you.

•     Don’t call in a priority for everything and don’t be rude – (they remember who the nasty and abusive clients are!) Be insistent but be polite and professional. Companies that are trying to work with them will get the best service and they will do their best to keep your staff working

•     Get to know the locate people – Develop a working relationship with Promark; be friendly and professional at all times. They are aware of the problem and your critical need to have timely locates. They have assured us they will try their best to help you out.

•     Promark contact number – In Ottawa is 613-723-9888. The dispatchers are there to try and help you when you have difficulties

•     Know who to speak to – if the dispatchers are not able to help, the two supervisors in Ottawa are Dan Gauthier and Jean-Marc. If you ask to speak to them they are often able to help in ways the dispatchers can’t.

Let us know immediately if you’re facing other related issues. Call or email Martha Walsh, Ottawa Chapter Coordinator at mwalsh@landscapeontario.com. Landscape Ontario will do its best to keep you working effectively and efficiently.

Regards,

Sarah Johnston

President, Ottawa Chapter