Utility Crossings: 'Call Before You Dig' | Why Ground Disturbance Safety Saves Lives

Call Before You Dig Ground Disturbance Safety

Every year in Canada, underground utility strikes occur during routine excavation work. Many of these incidents could have been prevented with one simple step: locating buried utilities before disturbing the ground.

Whether you are trenching, installing fence posts, digging foundations, or conducting large-scale excavation, understanding utility crossings and calling before you dig is critical to worker awareness, infrastructure protection, regulatory compliance, and ground disturbance safety. Ground disturbance hazards are often invisible, making proper planning and awareness essential.

What is Ground Disturbance?

Ground disturbance refers to any activity that penetrates or disrupts the soil, including:

• Excavation and trenching

• Drilling or boring

• Grading and scraping

• Driving posts, piles, or anchors

• Installing pipelines or utilities

• Landscaping or fence installation

Beneath the surface lies a complex network of infrastructure such as:

• Natural gas pipelines

• Electrical power lines

• Telecommunications cables

• Fibre optic networks

• Water and sewer lines

• Oil and chemical pipelines

Damaging any of these systems can lead to serious injuries, explosions, environmental damage, and costly service disruptions.

The Hidden Danger of Utility Crossings

Utility crossings occur when one buried utility intersects or runs near another underground utility or structure.

These areas present increased risk because:

• Utilities may be buried at different depths

• Older infrastructure may not appear on modern maps

• Previous construction may have shifted or altered burial locations

• Multiple utilities may be located within a small area

Without proper locating procedures, workers may unknowingly excavate directly above critical infrastructure.

A strike on a natural gas line, for example, can result in:

• Fires or explosions

• Evacuations of nearby communities

• Major project shutdowns

• Significant financial liability

  
  

Using “Call Before You Dig” for Ground Disturbance Safety

Canada has regional utility locate services that allow contractors and property owners to identify buried infrastructure before starting excavation. When you request a locate, utility owners mark the ground with colour-coded paint or flags indicating the location of underground lines.

Typical utility colour codes include:

Colour	Utility Type
Red	Electric power lines
Yellow	Natural gas, oil, or petroleum
Orange	Communication and fiber optics
Blue	Water lines
Green	Sewer and drain lines
Purple	Reclaimed water
White	Proposed excavation

Calling before you dig ensures:

✔ Underground infrastructure is identified

✔ Workers understand safe excavation limits

✔ Hand digging can be used near sensitive areas

✔ Projects remain compliant with safety regulations

In many jurisdictions, requesting locates is legally required before excavation begins.

The Role of Ground Disturbance Training

While utility locates are essential, they are only one part of a safe excavation process.

Ground disturbance training teaches workers how to:

• Interpret utility locate markings

• Understand tolerance zones

• Perform safe digging techniques

• Conduct hazard assessments before excavation

• Recognize signs of underground infrastructure

• Implement proper emergency response procedures

Workers who understand these principles significantly reduce the risk of incidents on job sites.

Consequences of Striking Underground Utilities

Failing to properly identify utilities before excavation can lead to serious consequences:

Worker Safety

• Gas explosions

• Electrical shock

• Exposure to hazardous materials

• Confined space hazards (such as engulfment or collapse of an excavation or trench)

Operational Impacts

• Project shutdowns

• Regulatory investigations

• Costly repairs

• Equipment damage

Community Disruption

• Power outages

• Communication outages

• Water service interruptions

• Public safety hazards

A single utility strike can cost tens of thousands of dollars — or more.

Best Practices Before The Shovel Hits the Ground

To prevent utility strikes, follow these essential safety steps:

1. Plan the excavation work in advance

2. Request utility locates through your regional locate service

3. Review site drawings and underground infrastructure maps

4. Conduct a hazard assessment

5. Clearly mark excavation areas

6. Respect tolerance zones around marked utilities

7. Use hand digging when working near underground lines

8. Ensure workers have proper ground disturbance training

Safe excavation begins long before the first shovel hits the ground.

Strengthening Safety Through Training

Ground disturbance remains one of the most common sources of serious incidents in construction and industrial operations.

Understanding utility crossings, respecting locate markings, and following proper excavation procedures helps protect:

• Workers

• Infrastructure

• Communities

• Timelines

Investing in proper training ensures that everyone on site understands the hazards below the surface and how to mitigate risk associated with the hazards.

Learn More About Ground Disturbance Safety

If your work involves excavation, drilling, or soil disturbance, proper training is essential.

True North Safety Certifications offers online Ground Disturbance training designed to increase awareness of underground hazards and safe excavation practices.These utility partner recognized courses help workers and supervisors understand the procedures required to safely work around buried utilities and prevent costly incidents.

Safety starts before you dig. Always locate utilities, understand the risks, and ensure workers are properly trained BEFORE ground disturbance.

Courses: https://www.safecert.ca/ground-disturbance