Assumption # 1: Assuming One-Call/Safe-Dig Call Outs Are All You Need
There are six key problems with making this assumption..>
One-Call is only required to mark the utilities that are owned by the utility company - and that means One-Call has the contract with the utility company. Most people just assume that every utility gets located when the One-Call locator leaves his or her marks.
The One-Call locator is working for the utility companies and not the private property or facilities owner. This means that utilities will mostly only be marked to a sidewalk curb or a property line. Identifying where the utilities come and go on your project site is your responsibility. Additionally, this means secondary utilities are also not the responsibility of Safe-Dig.
The typical One-Call locator is likely managing a territory of five or more cities/towns and may have to clear dozens of tickets for the daily quota. And, somehow, in this hectic production-line type schedule he or she will have to field and respond to random emergency calls coming in.
The One-Call system is heavily dependent on being guided by prints. Many operators may even have digital prints accessible from a laptop computer. The problem is, while the presence of a laptop may give the impression of hi-tech, up-to-date information, in reality the prints (digital or not) are often out dated and inaccurate.
The locating equipment One-Call operators carry is typically very limited and basic. Very rarely, if ever, do they have the latest and most technologically advanced equipment such as Ground Penetrating Radar in their arsenal
Ground Penetrating Radar systems are very costly and they have a long learning and training curve.
The One-Call service does not do concrete structures scanning to tell you where the post-tension cables, conduits and rebar are situated.
