FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why are private locators critical at the execution phase?
Public locates provide a starting point, not a complete picture. They rely on available records and standard detection methods, both of which have limitations.

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Private locators operate at the execution phase, where those gaps must be addressed in the field. In many cases, they also take on the role of the Damage Prevention Specialist by interpreting locate information, identifying limitations, and helping define the risk before ground disturbance begins. They verify public locate markings, locate privately owned utility lines, and document the conditions that drive decision making. This is where field conditions are understood and where damage is either prevented or created.

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What issues impact a private locate before work begins?

​Most challenges occur before the locator arrives on site. Missing utility records, lack of access to buildings or appurtenance connection points, no knowledgeable site contact, and poorly defined work scope all reduce the effectiveness of the locate. When these conditions exist, the locate is limited before it starts.

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What happens when key information is missing?

The locate becomes incomplete by condition. Critical buried utility infrastructure may not be identified, limitations increase, and uncertainty shifts to the execution phase. At that point, the Ground Disturbance Professional is making a risk based decision rather than working from confirmed information.

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What is a limitation on a locate?

A locate limitation is any condition that prevents a complete or reliable identification of buried utility infrastructure. This includes missing records, lack of access, non traceable facilities, signal interference, or unknown installations. A limitation is not just a note on a report. It is a direct indicator that risk is present and must be managed before work proceeds.

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What separates a strong locate from a weak one?

​A strong locate includes utility records review, full site access, identification of above ground structures, engagement with site personnel, and clear documentation of limitations.

A weak locate relies on surface level scanning with little investigation, limited access, and minimal documentation. The difference directly impacts the level of risk carried into the project.

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How should limitations be managed?
Limitations should be identified, communicated, and incorporated into the ground disturbance plan. Typical responses include controlled exposure, adjusted work methods, and increased supervision at the point of excavation.

 

Can all buried utility infrastructure be located?
No. Certain facilities cannot be detected due to material type, installation method, or site conditions. This reinforces the need for a risk based approach rather than reliance on markings alone.

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What if a buried utility line cannot be located?

​If a facility cannot be located, it should be treated as a potential conflict. The work area should be managed as a critical zone, and the plan adjusted to account for uncertainty. This may include redefining the work method, using controlled exposure techniques, and proceeding with increased caution. The absence of a locate does not confirm absence of infrastructure. It confirms uncertainty.

 

What should be done before hiring a private locator?
All available utility records should be gathered and provided. Access to buildings and tie in points should be arranged. A knowledgeable site contact should be identified, and the work scope clearly defined. The quality of the locate is directly influenced by the information and access provided before the work begins.

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What does a private locator actually provide?
A private locator provides information to support decision making at the point of ground disturbance. This includes locating privately owned detectable buried utility infrastructure, verifying existing markings, investigating site conditions, and defining limitations.

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The deliverable should be provided in the form of a report supported by a drawing or site reference that reflects what was identified, what could not be confirmed, and the limitations encountered. It should clearly communicate the level of confidence in the information and the areas where risk remains.

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The output is not a clearance. It is a defined level of risk that must be understood, accepted, and managed before work proceeds.

Who is responsible for preventing utility damage?

Responsibility is not assigned up front. It is determined after a damage investigation based on what each party knew, what they were provided, and how they acted.

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Utility owners, locators, and landowners are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of information. The Ground Disturbance Professional is responsible for how the work is carried out in the field. When damage occurs, liability follows the point where that process failed.

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What is the role of the Ground Disturbance Professional (GDP)?

The Ground Disturbance Professional is responsible for planning and executing the work. This includes understanding locate information, recognizing limitations, and selecting appropriate methods of excavation or drilling.

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This role typically includes contractors and field personnel such as excavators, drillers, equipment operators, foremen, hand diggers, field technicians, and site supervisors. It may also include project managers or engineers when they are directly responsible for how the work is planned and carried out in the field.

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Can a private locate confirm that an area is clear?

No. A private locate provides information, not confirmation of absence.

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Only SUE Level A methods (visual confirmation) can confirm the exact position of a buried facility. All other locate methods carry limitations that must be understood and managed before work proceeds.