Excavators

After the markings have been made, excavators should maintain a minimum clearance of two feet between a marked and unexposed underground facility and the cutting edge or point of any power operated excavating or earth moving equipment. As the excavation operation approaches the estimated location of underground facilities, the excavator must determine the exact location of the marked facility by safe and acceptable means. This is usually accomplished by the use of hand tools or vacuum excavation techniques.

If, during the course of excavation, a facility has been exposed, it is the excavator's responsibility to inspect and support these facilities prior to backfilling. If damage of any kind is discovered-or any suspicion of damage exists-it is the excavator's responsibility to immediately notify the facility owner directly.

Many excavators mistakenly believe that Call Sunshine is responsible for the actual marking of facilities. This is not the case. Call Sunshine takes information from the excavator and relays it to the underground facility operators, including Gulf Power Company.

Each facility operator is responsible for insuring that their facilities are properly marked. When one underground facility owner indicates that there are no facilities in conflict with a specific excavation, it does not mean that Call Sunshine has cleared the site, nor does it mean that other facilities are not at that location.