Utility Locating (Call Before You Dig)
Construction · Ver en español
Talking points
- Call 811 at least 48-72 hours before any excavation. This is a legal requirement in every state and initiates utility locating.
- Utility marks use a standard color code: Red = electric, Yellow = gas/oil, Orange = telecom, Blue = water, Green = sewer, White = proposed excavation.
- Hand-dig within 18-24 inches of utility marks (the exact distance varies by state). Mechanical equipment may not be used within this tolerance zone.
- Unmarked or unexpected utilities can still be present — especially private utilities not registered with 811. Use caution and watch for signs of buried lines.
- If you strike a utility, stop work immediately, evacuate the area, and call 911 and the utility company. Do not attempt to repair a damaged gas or electrical line.
Ask the crew
Has 811 been called for today's dig — and do we have the utility locate ticket number posted?
Standards this talk is built on
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
Run this talk with your crew and keep the record
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Sign-in sheet
Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.
| Name | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|
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