Locator Best Practices
After development by the Locating Best Practices Task Force and review by the Oregon Utility Notification Center (OUNC) Board of Directors, the OUNC Board on March 10, 2010 voted in (Motion 03-10-10-01) to unanimously accept the following minimum standards and best practices for performing underground utility locating in the state of Oregon.
This Policy is intended to establish and maintain minimum standards and best practices for performing underground utility locating with the highest priority set on the safety of the general public, excavators and the employees of the underground facility operators in the state.
Minimum Standards and practices should include the following:
- Understanding of System design prints / technology.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the mapping system for the facility(s) being located.
- Understanding of construction standards and practices.
- Correctly identify the most common surface structure of each utility system.
- Correctly identify different visual evidence of the presence of buried facilities.
- Ability to use Locating equipment.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the three methods of signal application (direct connect, close induction/clamp and induction).
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic transmitter operation.
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic receiver operation.
- Demonstrate proper equipment maintenance procedures.
- Ability to recognize the plant / structures they are locating.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the physical utility system(s) being located.
- Understanding of locating theory.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of electromagnetic theory as it applies to utility locating.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of a simple circuit as it applies to utility locating.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of signal frequency as it applies to utility locating.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of signal power as it applies to utility locating.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of signal distortion.
- Safe work practices and understanding of regulations (Local, State and Federal).
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of safe work practices.
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of applicable Local, State and Federal regulations as they apply to utility locating and working in public rights of ways.
- One Call Regulations / Requirements
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of One Call regulations and processes for the assigned area of responsibility.
