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
| Oct 25, 2012
Philadelphia councilmen move to crack down on contractors working without licenses, permits
Two Philadelphia city councilmen are trying to crack down on the "underground economy" of developers and contractors who work without licenses and permits, pay cash under the table, and operate unsafe job sites.
| Oct 25, 2012
OSHA and NIOSH offer Spanish version of nail gun safety document
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have made available a Spanish version of “Nail Gun Safety - A Guide for Construction Contractors.”
| Oct 25, 2012
AGC holding webinar on sequestration’s potential impacts on the construction industry
AGC will hold a free webinar on sequestration and its potential impact on federal construction contractors on Nov. 7.
| Oct 25, 2012
Nashville providing incentives for green roofs
The city of Nashville, Tenn., is promoting the installation of green roofs through a measure providing a $10 reduction in a property's sewer fees for every square foot of vegetative roof.
| Oct 25, 2012
Net Zero buildings will use operating systems like computers to save energy
As buildings become more efficient and begin to use distributed electricity generation, they will need to become “smarter,” using operating systems much as a computer does.
| Oct 18, 2012
Princeton, N.J. residents upset over proposal to exempt colleges from land use laws
Princeton, N.J. residents criticized proposed legislation that would exempt private colleges and universities from following local land use laws for construction projects.
| Oct 18, 2012
Utah contracting firm challenges state immigration law
Universal Contracting LLC of American Fork, Utah, has filed suit challenging the constitutionality of Utah’s 2011 immigration law.
| Oct 18, 2012
More than 65,000 construction, design jobs may be cut if sequestration takes place
About $2 billion worth of construction and design projects would be eliminated if scheduled federal budget cuts, referred to as sequestration, take effect on Jan. 2, 2013.
| Oct 18, 2012
OSHA investigating parking garage collapse that kills four at Doral, Fla. college
OSHA is investigating the collapse of a five-story concrete parking garage under construction at Miami Dade College West Campus in Doral, Fla. that killed four workers and injured several others.