Utility Locate Checklist
Utility Locate Checklist
Quick Summary
A utility locate checklist helps crews identify and verify underground utilities before excavation, trenching, drilling, or grading work begins. It provides a simple process for confirming markings, coordinating with utility owners, and documenting site conditions. This checklist is useful for excavation contractors, utility crews, concrete contractors, sitework contractors, foremen, and project managers.
When to Use This Checklist
- Before any excavation or trenching activity.
- Prior to grading, drilling, or earthmoving operations.
- Before installing utilities, foundations, or underground structures.
- When utility markings need to be verified or refreshed.
- Before equipment is mobilized into a work area.
- As part of excavation pre-planning and site safety reviews.
Before You Start
- Review project drawings and excavation limits.
- Define the proposed work area and excavation boundaries.
- Verify utility locate requests have been submitted.
- Confirm locate responses have been received.
- Review site access and traffic conditions.
- Coordinate schedules with field crews and supervisors.
- Identify areas where markings may be difficult to maintain.
- Review any known utility conflicts from previous work.
Safety Checks
- Verify utility markings are visible and legible.
- Inspect the site for evidence of unmarked utilities.
- Review utility conflict areas with the crew.
- Identify overhead utility hazards near the work zone.
- Confirm barriers and traffic controls are installed where needed.
- Verify operators understand utility avoidance procedures.
- Review emergency response procedures for utility damage incidents.
- Confirm required PPE is available and being used.
Tools, Equipment, and Materials
- Utility locate tickets and response records.
- Project drawings and site plans.
- Survey stakes, flags, paint, and marking materials.
- Measuring tools and layout equipment.
- Communication devices for field coordination.
- Inspection forms and daily reports.
- Traffic control and site protection materials if required.
Utility Locate Checklist
- Verify locate requests have been completed for the work area.
- Review all utility locate responses and documentation.
- Walk the site and identify all visible utility markings.
- Confirm markings cover the entire excavation area.
- Verify utility markings are clear, accurate, and readable.
- Identify utility crossings and potential conflict points.
- Compare field markings with project drawings.
- Document any discrepancies between plans and markings.
- Verify utility owners have responded where required.
- Review utility locations with equipment operators.
- Review utility locations with field crews.
- Mark additional reference points if needed.
- Photograph utility markings before work begins.
- Confirm all locate records are available onsite.
- Approve the work area for excavation activities.
Documentation Needed
- Utility locate tickets and confirmation records.
- Site plans and excavation drawings.
- Photos of utility markings and work areas.
- Crew meeting and planning records.
- Inspection notes and discrepancy reports.
- Customer or utility owner communications.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting excavation before all locate responses are received.
- Assuming old utility markings are still valid.
- Failing to compare markings with project plans.
- Ignoring faded or incomplete utility markings.
- Not documenting utility locations before excavation begins.
- Failing to communicate utility locations to operators and crews.
End-of-Day / Final Review
- All utility locate responses have been verified.
- Utility markings have been reviewed and documented.
- Crew members understand utility locations and risks.
- Photos and inspection records have been completed.
- Discrepancies have been resolved or documented.
- The work area has been cleared for safe excavation activities.
Checklist Completion
Project / Job Name
Jobsite / Location
Completed By
Role / Title
Completed Date
Completed Time
Signature
Reviewed / Approved By, if needed
Notes / Follow-Up Items
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