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Are you breaking the law every time you plant a shrub?
This week we welcome Ian Simpson, VP of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Ontario One Call. That’s the public safety administrative authority that makes sure your gardening project doesn’t end in a damaged gas line or ruptured water main. You’ll find Call Before You Dig services across Canada and the United States (search “One Call” for your province or “811” for your state), but Ontario is the one place where that call—or that click—is required by law. If you’re breaking ground, even by an inch or two, even out in the country, it’s your responsibility to submit a locate request to make sure you won’t be nicking any underground infrastructure.
Fortunately, Ontario One Call makes the process easy, free, and surprisingly quick. Ian explains how it works behind the scenes, what your responsibilities are as a homeowner, renter, or landscaping contractor, and why it matters so much. He also shares some startling statistics about the number of accidents that do happen, especially to people who think they know where their underground utilities are. Don’t be one of those statistics! Listen now and get the dirt on digging safety.
Connect with Ontario One Call
Colour Codes: https://ontarioonecall.ca/#colours
Ontario One Call: https://ontarioonecall.ca/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnwjQMBxkG4QrPW2q5sbjpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ON1Call/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/on1call/
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Credits
Website Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin
Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays
License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH
Timestamps
00:15 Introduction
00:45 Meet Ian Simpson and Ontario One Call
01:48 Underground Infrastructure in Rural Locations
02:40 How to Request a Locate
03:43 What if I’m Only Digging an Inch or Two?
05:25 Sometimes the Infrastructure is a Mess
06:20 Ian’s Role at Ontario One Call
07:30 Close Calls and Consequences
08:40 Statistics on Digging and Damage in Ontario
12:03 Who’s At Fault When Damage Occurs?
12:33 How it Works: Getting Locates from Infrastructure Owners
14:05 Expiry Dates on Locates?
15:30 How to Read the Colours of Spray-Painted Markings
08:45 Unexpected Jobs that Might Require Locates
19:36 Landscapers, Handymen and Liability
24:12 Sharing Locates with Multiple Contractors
26:19 Busting Myths
28:00 Timing for Locates
33:55 If You Do Hit Something…
35:04 Courses and Resources Available from Ontario One Call
37:00 When to Call 911
38:31 What If You’re Not in Ontario?
39:50 Final Words of Wisdom
40:45 Outro and Contact Us