PROFESSIONAL NEWS Provincial law requires locates before digging
• Only 33% of homeowners are aware of Ontario One Call and that requesting locates is a free service. • 1 in 4 professional contractors did not request a locate in their last project. Ontario One Call and Landscape Ontario partnered early this spring to raise awareness about dig safety and are asking everyone to help spread the message: "Click Before You Dig — It's the Law." Together, the two organizations are working to protect homeowners and contractors by sharing unified messages, educational materials and joint events. "Digging without a locate puts people, property and essential services at risk. At Ontario One Call, we are dedicated to ensuring every project starts with safety first. It's not just about following the law, it's about protecting lives, preventing service disruptions and keeping communities safe. Before you break ground, take the first step: Click Before You Dig," said Jim Keech, president and CEO of Ontario One Call. Every day, homeowners and contractors accidentally hit underground utilities, causing gas leaks, power outages and water main breaks. These incidents lead to emergency repairs, road closures, evacuations and even explosions. Ignoring this step doesn't just put lives in danger, it can result in hefty fines and legal liability for damages. Requesting utility locates is free and it's the law in Ontario. Homeowners
The practice of digging without requesting locates is leading to a heightened risk for public safety, essential services and critical infrastructure across Ontario. A locate, using flags or spray painted lines on the ground, indicates the location of gas, electrical, telecommunications and other buried utilities. Despite it being the law, many people (including property owners and contractors) do not request locates, putting lives at risk and leading to costly damage. New data from November 2024 Ontario One Call Awareness Research reveals a dangerous trend: • 1 in 4 residential digging projects results in accidental damage to underground infrastructure.
• 57% of homeowners don't realize that a locate is legally required before any digging.
THE
PODCAST
Hear more about the importance of getting your locates before you dig in an episode of the Landscape Ontario podcast. gfl.me/hbTg
20 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
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