The nation’s 811 utility location system is significantly flawed, according to a new survey of construction firms that perform underground excavation work.
The survey report, released by the Associated General Contractors of America, found that more than half of the responding firms reported damages and near misses because lines were unmarked or marked incorrectly. “Most contractors say that calling 811 often leads to inaccurate line marking and that utility firms are often very slow in coming out to locate and mark their underground lines,” according to an AGC news release.
Seventy-eight percent of firms who found weaknesses said the biggest problem is the lack of accurate utility locating by utility owners and operators. And 56% of firms with concerns about the 811 system said slow utility owner and operator response times are a significant weakness.
Many firms reported being unfairly blamed for damages even after contacting 811. The survey found that nearly two-thirds of contractors received a claim from a utility owner and operator for damage to a line the construction firm was not responsible for damaging.
“We need to fix the 811 system to make sure utility firms are doing their part to accurately mark their lines,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC CEO. “Too few utility firms are being held accountable for doing their part when it comes to helping contractors avoid hitting underground lines.”
Related Stories
| Mar 5, 2014
San Francisco board seeks remedies to code enforcement complaints
Two supervisors charged that a lack of adequate code enforcement has led to blight from dilapidated or unfinished buildings.
| Mar 5, 2014
Obama proposes $1 billion for climate change risk mitigation
President Barack Obama would spend $1 billion to “better understand the projected impacts of climate change,” encourage local action to reduce future risk, and fund technology and infrastructure that will be more resilient to climate change.
| Mar 5, 2014
Southern Forest Products Assn. revamps pressure-treated pine specifications
It provides information to assist with the proper specification and use of pressure-treated Southern Pine materials.
| Mar 5, 2014
UL, PRI Construction Materials Technologies reach product certification agreement
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Inc. reached an agreement with PRI Construction Materials Technologies LLC (PRI) through which PRI will participate in UL's "Data Acceptance Program," enabling the acceptance of data generated at PRI toward UL product certification.
| Mar 5, 2014
Quebec's building code doesn't meet needs of its aging population
The issue was raised in the wake of a tragic fire at a seniors' residence in L'Isle-Verte.
| Mar 4, 2014
Massachusetts Congressional delegation asks FEMA to slow flood zone map requirements
After a recent successful challenge of the scientific methodology used to redraw the coastal high-hazard zones, the Massachusetts congressional delegation is asking federal officials to put the brakes on new flood zone maps for the Bay State.
| Mar 3, 2014
Injury-liability law responsible for higher construction insurance cost in New York
Construction contractors and developers in New York state face $3 billion more in costs and 667 more accidents per year because of a state law that holds builders solely liable for such accidents, according to a study commissioned by the New York Civil Justice Institute.
| Feb 28, 2014
GBI issues guide to help federal agencies meet sustainability mandates
The Green Building Initiative has released “The Guiding Principles Compliance for New Construction,” for federal buildings to help federal agencies meet sustainability mandates in the construction of new buildings.
| Feb 28, 2014
Steel Joist Institute standards open for review
The 2015 draft of the Steel Joist Institute’s “Single Joist Standard Specification for K-, LH-, and DLH-Series and Joist Girders” will be available for public review until May 31, 2014.
| Feb 28, 2014
Metcalf Construction wins key reversal from federal appeals court in Hawaii on military contract
Metcalf spent more than $76 million on a military construction project and sued to recoup costs.
