My locate expired before the dig in Fredericton, now what?

Stop and get new locates before digging resumes. WorkSafeNB requires the employer to make sure underground lines are located before excavating, and the Energy and Utilities Board's pipeline guidelines call for a new locate once the locate period expires.

Get Both Locates Renewed Before the Machine Moves

Info-Excavation, reached through Click Before You Dig, requires three working days' notice. Its locate is valid until the end date written on the request, and that date has passed, so a fresh request is needed. The new locate will carry a new end date tied to the work period you describe on the form.

NB Power runs its own separate underground locate service, and it is not covered by an Info-Excavation request. NB Power asks for at least five business days' notice. Its locate is valid for 60 days from the date on the locate form, and it covers only NB Power-owned underground power lines. NB Power says wiring a past owner ran to a garage, shed or outbuilding is the owner's to have checked before digging resumes.

If there is a pipeline anywhere near the work area, the Pipeline Act, 2005 requires reasonable steps to find out whether one is present and to notify the operator. The NB Energy and Utilities Board's guidelines ask for locate requests at least 72 hours, meaning three full working days, ahead of ground disturbance.

Private lines, drains or tanks installed by the owner or a past owner are yours to locate and mark. Whether Info-Excavation covers municipal water and sewer was not confirmed, so ask the City of Fredericton directly.

A few other things to check while the work is paused. If this dig involves a new foundation, Regulation 2021-2 under the Building Code Administration Act requires a footing and foundation inspection before any backfilling begins. Ask the City of Fredericton's building department how to book that inspection so it does not hold up the pour or the backfill. If the work is within 30 metres of a watercourse or wetland, a Watercourse and Wetland Alteration permit from the province is required before the machine returns to that area. The 30 metres is measured horizontally from the top of the bank on the ground, not from a map.

Ask the contractor to show you both the renewed Info-Excavation ticket and the NB Power locate form before the excavator starts again, and confirm with the City of Fredericton's building department whether an inspection is needed at this stage of your job.