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Dedicated Locator

Bill 93 received royal assent on April 14, 2022. Within Bill 93, the Getting Ontario Connected Act introduces a new legal concept of Dedicated Locator to the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act (OUINSA).

A dedicated locator enhances the efficiency of the locates process by having a single locate service provider (Dedicated Locate Service Provided – DLSP) contracted by the Project owner to locate all underground infrastructure on a project. It is paving way for large and long term scale projects to have continual delivery of locates when and where they are needed.

What is a Dedicated Locator?

A Dedicated Locator is a single resource used to mark all underground infrastructure within a project area.

Benefits of a Dedicated Locator:

  • Improves productivity
  • Reduces downtime as the locates are completed under the direction of the Project Owner
  • Promotes damage prevention and safer excavation practices
  • More control – get locates when, where, and as often as your project requires
  • Provides flexibility when delays or conflicts require changes to project timelines or scope”
  • It frees up the regular pool of public locate service providers to complete standard locate requests for homeowners and less complex requests
  • Mediation – provides a platform to solve issues that arise within a project or region
  • Insights – gives all participants additional data from which to make current and future decisions

Dedicated Locator Policies & Procedures Webinar – May 06, 2022

On April 14th, 2022 Bill 93, Getting Ontario Connected Act was passed into law. The legislation facilitates major changes to how locates are to be delivered in Ontario, including much broader use of Dedicated Locator services. This webinar was presented on May 6th, 2022 to go over Dedicator Locator Policies and Procedures, answer questions, and to solicit stakeholder feedback.

Information and Resources

PROJECT OWNER

The owner of the Dedicated Locator project.  Responsible for selecting the DLSP and submitting the 90 Day Notice or Regional Request Notice to Ontario One Call.

UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE OWNER (MEMBER)

Any affected utilities within the project scope

EXCAVATOR

The proponent working for the project owner to perform the excavation. Useful resources for excavators can be found here

DEDICATED LOCATE SERVICE PROVIDER

The Dedicated Locate Service Provider that has been chosen by the Project Owner as the Dedicated Locate Service Provider (DLSP) for the project.

Project Owners

  • Submit the 90 Day Notice Form to Ontario One Call
  • Contract an approved Dedicated Locator Service Provider
  • Notify Ontario One Call when project is complete

Members

  • Comply with the OUINS Act, agree upon the selected DLSP, and provide Infrastructure records/mapping within 10 business days
  • Enter into an Agreement with DLSP, and include specifics required to locate infrastructure.
  • Ensure mapping is up to date

Ontario One Call

  • Identify Members in the vicinity of the work described
  • Notify affected Members of proposed DL project
  • Liaison to project owner, Members, and DLSP

Dedicated Locator Service Providers (DLSP)

  • Reach out to Members identified within project limits to obtain mapping
  • Enter into agreement with Member
  • Complete locate within 10 business days or as per instructed timeframe set by Project Owner/Proponent
  • A Dedicated Locator must be approved through each Utility and/or Municipality with infrastructure in your project area. Depending on the region, there might already be a certified pool of dedicated locators ready to be hired.
  • Project Owner / Proponent to provide Ontario One Call with 90 Day Notice and Billing Forms
  • If you are a Project Owner and are looking for more on how to setup a Dedicated Locator model for your project click here.

The Project Owner is responsible to pay the Dedicated Locate Service Provider directly.

    • This Best Practices Document from the ORCGA provides best practice guidelines for planning and design, notifications, locating and marking, excavation, mapping, compliance, public education, and reporting.
    • Information found in this best practices document may be relevant to a project owner, member, excavator, or DLSP.

Please contact DL@OntarioOneCall.ca or join our mailing list to receive Dedicated Locator email updates.