Safety Hub

Ohio’s Safe Digging Process

Reminder: Routine Notifications must be made 48 hours before you dig.

Dial 8-1-1 or submit your notification remotely with i-dig or e-dig, available on OHIO811.org or Mobile App.

When you receive your notification number, wait 48 hours* for utility companies to respond and mark buried utilities with flags or paint.

*excludes weekends & legal holidays

After waiting 48 hours, you will receive a Positive Response email to verify the response of each utility company notified about your dig project.
Observe the markings and tolerance zone*, then dig responsibly.

*’Tolerance zone’ means the site of the underground utility facility including the width of the underground utility plus eighteen inches on each side of the facility.

Still have questions? Visit our FAQs page.

Excavation Checklist (Locate Work Order)

What information do I need when notifying OHIO811?

Complex Large Projects

Mutually-agreed upon coordination between excavators and facility owners/operators so that a marking schedule can be set for the project.

ORC 3781.28 (E) “If an excavation will cover a large area and will progress from one area to the next over a period of time, the excavator shall provide written notice of excavation with projected timelines for segments of the excavation as the excavation progresses in order to coordinate the marking of underground utility facilities with actual excavation schedules. Under such circumstances, the utility and excavator shall determine a mutually agreed upon marking schedule based on the project schedule. Once such a schedule is established, the marking and notification requirements set forth in division (A)(1) of section 3781.29 of the Revised Code shall not apply.”

Emergencies

Emergency Notifications can be made to OHIO811 by calling 8-1-1
or 1-800-362-2764.
Emergencies cannot be made through i-dig or e-dig.

Definition of an Emergency:
ORC 3781.25(V) “Emergency” means an unexpected occurrence causing a disruption or damage to an underground utility facility that requires immediate repair or a situation that creates a clear and imminent danger that demands immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of or damage to life, health, property, or essential public services.

ORC 3781.28(F)(1): “In the case of a utility that is making an emergency repair to its own underground utility system or a governmental entity making an underground emergency repair to traffic control devices, as defined in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code, used on any street or highway under the entity’s jurisdiction, the utility or governmental entity shall notify a protection service and each limited basis participant of the excavation site. This notice need not occur before commencing excavation.”

Excavator Manual & Universal Marking Standards
What information do I need when notifying OHIO811 about digging?

The OHIO811 Excavator Manual and Universal Marking Standards outline procedures for planning, notifying, marking, and digging near underground utilities.

If You Have Hit a Line…

Walk away immediately

Take steps to clear the area to protect yourself and your crew.

DO NOT try to repair or stop the leak yourself or use anything that might create a spark, such as a cell phone.

As established in the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 (PIPES Act of 2006), codified at 49 U.S.C. § 60114(d)(3): —a person who engages in demolition, excavation tunneling, or construction, and who causes damage to a pipeline facility that may endanger life or cause serious bodily harm or damage to property—

(A) may not fail to promptly report the damage to the owner or operator of the facility; and
(B) if the damage results in the escape of any flammable, toxic or corrosive gas or liquid, may not fail to promptly report to other appropriate authorities by calling the 911 emergency telephone number

Also notify OHIO811 so that other utility owners in the area may be notified. See Ohio Revised Code 3781.30(6-7) for more details

Above-Ground Indicators

Before excavating, visually scan for above-ground indicators of underground utilities (e.g., meters, vents, signs, posts, pedestals, or other surface features). If you see these indicators but find no utility markings (paint/flags) or no Positive Response from the utility, contact OHIO811 again and report the observed indicators. Some examples of these visible, surface-level signs include:

Smart Trenching Starts Here

Trenching is one of the most dangerous— and preventable— hazards on a job site. This
video from OHIO811, BWC, and Vernon Nagel, Inc. highlights key safety practices, OSHA requirements, and the role of the competent person to help keep every excavation safe and compliant.

Private Lines & Service Lines

Facility owners are required to mark what they own and operate. Unregistered lines, including some service lines and privately owned lines, may not be marked.

Privately owned lines are the responsibility of the property owner. You should contact a private locating company if you believe you have additional lines in your excavation area.

OHIO811 Liaisons
Connect with OHIO811 in the Field

OHIO811’s Education & Safety Liaisons work with contractors, excavators, locators, and facility owners across the state, traveling to share our safe digging message. Visit our OHIO811 Liaisons page and learn more.