Everything you probably want to know before you dig.

• Why locate? Is it actually the law?
  Yes. Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, Section 228 (Precautions regarding underground services) requires that before an excavation begins, gas, electrical and other services in and near the area be accurately located and marked, and that the employer responsible for the excavation request the owner of the service to locate and mark it. The Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 also requires that anyone about to dig notify Ontario One Call.
• What exactly is a "locate"?
  A locate is the detection, marking, and reporting of buried utility services on a job site. Lines are detected with radio-detection equipment (electromagnetic induction) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), then marked on the surface with temporary paint, stakes, or flags to show the horizontal position of each utility. A locate sheet is produced showing the utilities in relation to adjacent structures and site features. Locates apply to both public and private utilities.
• I already called Ontario One Call — why do I need USL-1?
  Ontario One Call only notifies registered public utility owners — typically hydro, gas, and telecom. Every other utility on your site (private laterals, building services, site power, irrigation, fibre from a property-side provider, abandoned infrastructure) is invisible to One Call. USL-1 notifies every known public owner and then locates the private side, delivering one combined package of public + private locates so your crew can dig safely.
• What equipment do you use?
  Radio Detection receivers and transmitters for conductive utilities. Sondes — transmitters inserted into non-conductive pipes such as PVC. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) imaging for utilities, voids, and underground storage tanks (USTs).
• Do you serve homeowners?
  We do. If you have hired a contractor to do the work, we recommend the contractor request the locate in their own name for liability reasons — but we're happy to advise either way.
• Are you insured?
  Yes. USL-1 carries worldwide public-liability coverage, maintains current industry training and certifications, and holds several government security clearances.
• What do the colours of the paint on the ground mean?
  We use the APWA uniform colour code for underground utility marking: red — electric power lines, cables, and conduit; yellow — gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or gaseous material; orange — communication, alarm, signal, or fibre; blue — potable water; green — sewer and drain; purple — reclaimed water, irrigation, slurry; pink — temporary survey markings; and white — proposed excavation routes.
• What standards do you work to?
  Our utility locates follow ORCGA (Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance) best practices and the APWA colour code. SUE deliverables are produced to ASCE 38-22 quality-level standards. Where applicable we also work to CSA Z247 (Damage prevention for the protection of underground infrastructure) and the requirements set by Ontario One Call and the Ontario Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.

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