If you work in the telecommunications industry—and even if you don’t—you know how disruptive a loss of service can be. Every year millions of dollars are spent identifying and repairing utility line disruptions. But did you know that digging and disrupting a utility line can also cause serious injury or death? Last year saw an increase in electrocution injuries as a result of digging in areas containing utility lines. On 8/11, underground facilities protection agencies remind everyone to be aware of underground utilities while digging, doing home renovation projects, or using excavation equipment.
So how does the process work exactly? When someone calls a Utility Protection Services (UPS) company about a dig proposal, the UPS gathers information about the excavator and the proposed dig site. The information is then electronically delivered to member utilities. Member utilities mark their facilities above ground, or employ a contract locator to perform the locates. The locator then sends a response to the excavator that the locates work has been completed. Companies, contractors, and individuals can then dig safely within the parameters of the marks without fear of disrupting underground facilities.
As you can imagine, time is of the essence when it comes to marking locates in advance of projects; renovators and contractors need to know that information ASAP. Speedy locates response times are critical. If your organization works closely with locates management teams, now is a great time to evaluate how efficient your locates management system is. Could your response times be improved? Is your ticketing system allowing techs to arrive on-site quickly, and with the equipment they need? An effective locates management system can not only improve efficiency within your organization, it also improves the lives of those in your community.
To learn about how Mapcom Systems’ Locates Integration can help you, contact us today!