Why do I need locates? It’s the law. Under Ontario law, it is illegal to dig without having natural gas lines located. Digging or excavating could damage the network of water and sewer pipes, gas lines, telephone lines, hydro cables, or cable television lines that could be located under the ground of your lot.
What the fine for digging without locates Ontario?
Starting in 2013, if a TSSA inspector randomly checks a project and the contractor is excavating without locate paperwork, there will be an automatic $500 fine given to the contactor.
Can I dig in my backyard Ontario?
If you are planting a tree, building a fence or a deck, digging a new garden, or doing any project that requires you to dig, you must contact Ontario One Call at least 5 days before. Ontario One Call will notify buried infrastructure owners that you plan to dig.
How deep can you dig in Ontario?
Protect yourself: Never enter a trench deeper than 1.2 metres (47 inches) unless the walls are sound, made of solid rock, properly sloped, shored or protected by a trench box.
Can I dig around my house?
You should call 811 or use your state 811 center’s website a few business days before you begin any digging, including common projects like planting trees and shrubs or installing fences and mailboxes. The specific amount of advance notice that you are required to provide varies by state.
How much does a locate cost in Ontario?
free
How much does it cost to request a locate? Requesting a locate through Ontario One Call is free.
How deep can you dig on your property Canada?
You own as deep as is needed to facilitate a reasonable use of the property. If you own a residential lot, you can dig for your foundation. If you are building a 50 storey building, obviously it is deeper than that.
Who is responsible for locates in Ontario?
The locates are completed by the owners of the buried infrastructure or their respective Locate Service Providers. Ontario One Call does not perform locates.
Do you need planning permission for digging?
Excavating to create a new basement which involves major works, a new separate unit of accommodation and/or alters the external appearance of the house, such as adding a light well, is likely to require planning permission. If you live in a listed building you are likely to need consent for internal or external work.
When can you start digging in Ontario?
April 1st
April 1st marks the official start of Dig Safe Month!
Can I dig a well on my property Ontario?
An individual land owner, or his/her family members can work on any well situated on his/her own property without a well technician licence. Also, other individuals can construct a well without a well technician licence for the individual land owner as long as no form of compensation is made.
How deep do water lines need to be buried in Ontario?
Watermain pipes are buried about 1.8 m deep, just below the frost line.
How far down are gas lines buried in Ontario?
24 inches
Depth of residential gas lines
If you call Enbridge Gas Distribution or Union Gas and asked them what the standard depth of a residential gas line is in Ontario, they will tell you the answer is 24 inches. This is the depth specified by the CSA standards.
How close to utilities can you dig?
Dig With Care: If you are digging within 24 inches of the outside diameter of the utility (or tolerance zone ), you are required to utilize hand tools only. Any underground facilities that are in conflict with your excavation must be located with hand tools and protected before power equipment is used.
Can you hand dig around utility lines?
Dig with care
Whenever you hand dig near buried utility lines, take care to prevent damage: Use a rounded or blunt-edged shovel. Sharp tools like pickaxes, mattocks, pry bars or pointed spades may gouge or puncture lines. Begin digging off to the side of the marked utility line.
Can I dig out around my foundation?
If you need to expose the exterior of the basement wall and the foundation is in good shape, you can dig a trench right next to the wall all the way down to the footing. To be on the safe side, consult an engineer or a foundation contractor before you start digging.
Who is responsible to confirm all utility locates before excavation begins?
Before excavating, the excavator must verify the limits of the locate markings to ensure they correspond with the limits of the proposed excavation. Excavators must hand dig within one metre from either side of the outside edge of the underground facility service.
How long are locates valid for in Canada?
Locate markings are good for one month, after which time you must have them re-marked. Different colour paint is used to mark the different utilities.
What is a locate request?
A locate request helps you know where underground infrastructures owned by Info-Excavation’s member companies are located on your excavation site. It also helps prevent accident-related damages that could be potentially costly and dangerous. A locate request helps your company excavate safely.
How deep can you dig without shoring?
Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.
What is a permit to dig?
Permit to dig is a formal management system used to control the high-risks of excavation works. Technics’ permit system controls and minimises risks to workforce and utilities on site. It also helps to reduce the chance of a costly and high-risk utility strikes and can manage design costs.