As an agricultural operator, it's crucial to recognize that underground utilities can be present even beneath farm fields. Hitting these utilities can disrupt your operations, cause serious safety hazards, and lead to costly repairs. To avoid these issues, the 811 service is essential for all your digging projects, including farming activities.
Using the 811 service before you dig is not just a recommendation—it's a necessary step to ensure the safety and efficiency of your farming operations. Utilities like gas lines, water pipes, and electrical cables can be buried underground, and damaging them can have significant consequences for your farm and community. By contacting 811, you help protect your investments and maintain a safe working environment.
Before notifying 811 of your planned digging project, you will need to pre-mark your proposed project area. These markings will help utility locators quickly identify where the digging is taking place.
Simply dial 811 or submit your request online a few days before you plan to dig. Provide your project area location and information about your project. Utility owners will be notified about your digging project and begin responding to your request.
Utility companies will send professional locators to your project area to mark the location of buried lines with flags or paint. They may also choose to share utility location information with you or notify you that they do not operate a utility within your project area. This service is free of charge. Wait until each utility operator on your request has responded before you begin digging.
Verify that all the utility lines have been marked and that each utility operator on your ticket has responded. IF you need clarification, call 811 again for assistance.
Use the marks as a guide to avoid hitting utility lines. Use hand tools when digging near the marks and proceed with caution.
The Area of Continual Excavation (ACE) Ticket is a special type of locate request designed to meet the unique needs of agricultural operators and certain flood control facility operators in California. This ticket allows for a continual excavation request that is valid for one year, as opposed to the standard 28-day ticket, making it easier for ongoing agricultural activities to remain compliant with the state's "call before you dig" laws (EnergySafety) (EnergySafety).
ACE Tickets are only available in a location where excavation is part of the normal business activities of agricultural operations and flood control facilities.
Contact 811 to submit your ACE Ticket request. This can be done by phone or online. Be sure to specify that you are requesting an ACE Ticket for agricultural purposes.
If your excavation project involves working within 10 feet of a high priority subsurface installation, an on-site meeting between a representative of the excavator and the operator of the high priority subsurface installation is required. This meeting ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of the utility locations and any potential conflicts.
For areas that do not contain or are more than 10 feet away from high priority subsurface installations, an on-site meeting is optional but recommended to ensure safety and compliance.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the following legal codes where the requirements and regulations for ACE
Tickets are discussed:
California Government Code 4216: This code outlines the requirements for safe excavation practices, including the use of ACE Tickets. Read more about Government Code 4216. (link to excavation law)
California Code of Regulations Division 4 Title 19: This regulation provides additional guidelines and requirements for excavation activities, including the implementation of ACE Tickets. Read more about Title 19 Regulations. (link to excavation law)
By following these guidelines and utilizing the ACE Ticket, agricultural operators can ensure their projects are conducted safely and in compliance with state laws, protecting both their operations and the vital underground utilities.
Need to add content here about how tickets are submitted. How to create an online account. Etc. Geared towards first time users.
Call 811 at least two working days before you plan to begin your digging project and after you have clearly pre-marked the area where you plan to dig.
Our Damage Prevention Specialists will work with you to submit your 811 ticket and notify the appropriate utility operators about your upcoming project.
At the end of your call you should receive a ticket number and email confirmation of your request.
You should expect utility companies to respond to your ticket before the start date and time of your project (two working day notice required)
After creating an account with our OneCallAccess ticket entry system, you will be able to complete your 811 ticket Online
You can also track utility responses and perform additional actions to your ticket inside your OneCallAccess account.
You can create and manage your 811 tickets completely from your mobile device.
The 811 mobile app is available on the Apple and Google Play Store
DownloadUnder California Government Code 4216, a High Priority Subsurface Installation is an underground line that can cause serious injury, environmental damage, or major service outages if damaged.
They include
Pipelines operating above 60 pounds per square inch (psig)
Lines that carry oil, fuel, or other petroleum products
Sewer lines that move waste under pressure, not gravity
Underground electric lines carrying 60 kV or more
Any pipeline carrying substances that could be dangerous to workers or the public if damaged
If your farming operation plans to dig within 10 feet of an HPSI, extra steps are required before excavation can begin:
We’re here to help you understand and use the 811 system. Whether you need assistance creating a ticket, have questions about the excavation process, or want training for your team, USA North 811 offers multiple ways to get support.
If you’re using our online ticket platform, OneCallAccess, we provide several tools to make the process easier:
Step-by-step tutorials on creating and managing tickets.
View VideosConnect with a real person for quick answers in real time.
Contact us directly for one-on-one help with creating and managing tickets.
weboperations@usan.org
Our Education Department can help you better understand excavation law and the 811 process:
Free public training sessions for professional excavators.
Learn moreFree, customized trainings for your company or organization, offered in person or as a webinar.
Send us your questions and a team member will respond.
education@usan.orgSpeak with an expert for guidance on 811 requirements and excavation law.
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