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How
Does GSOC Work?
GSOC takes detailed information from callers who are doing excavation work,
processes it in a computer, and notifies underground utility operators that may
have facilities in the described work area. These underground utility operators
send out locators to locate their underground utilities with appropriate colors.
By law, the underground utility operators have 48 hours
to mark their underground utilities. Underground utility operators do not
have the responsibility to mark any private utilities. Therefore, care
should be exercised anytime digging takes place.
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Who Should Call?
Anyone digging in the State of
Minnesota must call GSOC before they dig if they are using power equipment. Even
when hand-digging, a person is encouraged to call if he/she is unfamiliar with
the location of underground utilities.
The person who is doing the work is responsible for
calling GSOC. If the homeowner does his or her own excavation work, the
homeowner is responsible for calling GSOC. If the homeowner hires a contractor
to do the work, the contractor is responsible for calling.
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What
if I don't Call Before I Dig? Calling
GSOC isn't just a good idea - it's the LAW. GSOC
is a crucial damage prevention service. A person may have underground utilities
buried in their yard and not know about them. To repair these buried utilities
could be very costly and to hit a utility could be extremely dangerous or fatal. top
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What
Does This Service Cost?
There is no cost to homeowners or excavators for the service that GSOC provides.
GSOC is a non-profit organization and is supported by all the underground
utilities in the State of Minnesota.
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When
Should A Call Be Made?
A call to GSOC should be made at least 48 hours (excluding weekends, holidays,
and emergencies) prior to the start of the digging. The GSOC office hours are
Monday through Friday, 7am-5pm. top
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What
Types of Questions Will Be Asked?
GSOC answering attendants will ask detailed information about the work site.
Some of the questions include: what type of work is being done, where is the
work site located, how long will the work take, and what are the township,
range, section and quarter section coordinates (the legal description) of the
work site.
The last piece of information - the legal description
of the property - is very important. This information may be obtained from
property tax statements. If the legal information is not provided, GSOC
answering attendants must consult maps and research the area.
Once the call is complete, a ticket number will be
issued. This ticket number is very important and should be kept until the work
is completed in case any questions arise. It also serves as proof that the call
center was notified. top
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What Should Be Done
Before the Call?
In addition to looking up the legal description, marking the excavation site in
white is very helpful. Wooden, white stakes or white paint should be used to
outline the proposed excavation area. If there are no white markings, indicating
the proposed work site, the utility operators may mark the entire lot. top
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What
Happens After the Call?
Once the underground utilities are notified, it is their job to determine
whether they need to locate their underground utilities near the proposed dig
site. Remember, they may not mark any private utilities (ie. power to garage,
gas, grill or LP lines, etc.). If they determine that they do not need to locate
utilities they call back GSOC and indicate such.
After 24 hours from the initial call, a person may call
back to GSOC, provide the answering attendant with the ticket number, and they
will be able to verify what utilities have cleared the area.
If the utilities cannot clear the work area, they will
mark the location of underground utilities on the lot. If the dig site has been
marked with white stakes, the utilities will mark out that area. If no white
stakes are used, they may mark the entire lot. Utilities usually use paint or
flags to mark the area, depending on soil and weather conditions. The color
codes are:
-
red
- electric
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yellow
- gas/oil
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orange
- communication/CATV
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blue
- water
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green
- sewer
-
fluorescent pink
- temporary survey markings
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white - proposed
excavation
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What Should Be Done
After the Area is Marked?
Anyone who conducts excavation work in the State of Minnesota, is considered an
excavator. This designation comes with certain responsibilities. For a complete
list of responsibilities please contact GSOC at 651.454.8338 or 800.422.1242. An
outline of responsibilities include:
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After the underground
utilities have been marked, and the 48 hour time frame has elapsed, the
excavation work may commence.
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Once the digging
has begun, a minimum clearance of two feet between a marked and unexposed
underground utility, and the cutting edge or point of any power-operated
equipment must be kept. If excavation is required within two feet of any
marking, the excavation should be performed very carefully with hand
tools.
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If there has
been any damage to an underground utility, or if there is suspicion of
damage, it is the excavator's responsibility to immediately notify the
underground utility directly.
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