Every day across Illinois, you build the communities we call home. On the job, your role is to protect fellow crew members and the infrastructure that keeps Illinois connected by following safe digging practices. That starts with contacting JULIE before you dig to reduce the risk of striking an underground utility line. The service is FREE.
Contacting JULIE is just one part of the excavation safety process. Following all five steps helps you not only prevent utility line damage but also keep projects on schedule, avoid costly delays and prevent injuries.
Before starting any excavation, pre-mark the proposed dig site so utility companies can more efficiently identify underground lines that may be affected.
Keep your crews safe. Never start excavating until you have confirmed all underground utility lines on your dig site have been marked or cleared.
Flags and marks identify the approximate location of underground utility lines and indicate where it may be safe to excavate.
Any excavation within the tolerance zone—which extends 18 inches on either side of a marked utility (plus half the utility’s diameter, if known)—requires extra care to safely expose and protect underground lines.
JULIE’s Positive Response system provides a convenient way for utility companies to communicate to you the status of your locate requests…whether you’re in the office or in the field. By law, all JULIE member utility companies must indicate how they responded to each locate request through the Positive Response system. Before excavation begins, you’re responsible for confirming that all utility operators listed on your ticket have marked the excavation site, cleared the area, or notified you that they were unable to mark the site. All you need is your ticket number and Internet access.
JULIE’s Positive Response system provides a convenient way for utility companies to communicate to you the status of your locate requests…whether you’re in the office or in the field. By law, all JULIE member utility companies must indicate how they responded to each locate request through the Positive Response system. Before excavation begins, you’re responsible for confirming that all utility operators listed on your ticket have marked the excavation site, cleared the area, or notified you that they were unable to mark the site. All you need is your ticket number and Internet access.
Safe digging starts with informed crews. JULIE Essentials online training offers up-to-the-minute information and resources every excavator in Illinois needs to know about utility line damage prevention. For your convenience, sessions can be taken whenever contractors have the time—from a laptop, tablet or smart phone.
Don’t let a preventable safety violation impact your project. Consequences for ignoring safe digging requirements can include more than utility line damages and personal injuries; they can also include penalties ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation assessed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Complying with the law is one of the simplest ways to protect your crews, your reputation, your bottom line…and the community where you work.
