Meet Tickets
A Meet Ticket is required for any excavation of one (1) mile or more in length, or any combination of notices provided for adjacent geographic sections that, when combined, meet or exceed the 1-mile length.
An excavator can also file a Meet Ticket to request the facility operator meet at the excavation site when it is difficult to precisely define the location of the excavation site in a routine locate request or when the progression of the work will be in phases that are more capable of being described in person.
This meeting should take place on site to discuss the proposed excavation, schedule utility locates, and to share other necessary information. Facility operators are required to attend the Meet unless it is mutually agreed that a Meet is not required.
Any plan for locating underground facilities related to the Meet Ticket, or agreement that a meet is not necessary must be filed with GSOC.
Documentation
The following information should be provided on the documentation:
- The date and time of each Meet
- The names, company affiliations and contact information for each attendee at each Meet
- A diagram, sketch, or description of the precise excavation locations, dates and times
- Agreed schedule of any future Meets or communications
Start this documentation prior to the meet itself, so that the written diagrams or sketches and timetable can be handed out by the excavator at the start of the meet.
Engineering drawings and other detailed information are encouraged so that all parties clearly understand the work site. Pictures taken at the time of the Meet or of markings made after the Meet may be helpful as part of the documentation process.
This form must be filled out by both parties and submitted to GSOC to complement the existing ticket.
Things to Remember:
1
A Meet notice is valid for 14 calendar days from the excavation start time in the notice. However, all parties are required to create an agreed schedule of future on-site Meets or communications as part of the Meet process, in which case the ticket may be valid for up to six months from the start time specified in the notice.
2
The Meet time must take place at least 48 hours after contacting GSOC, excluding weekends and holidays. The excavation start time must be at least 48 hours after the proposed Meet date and time (again excluding weekends and holidays).
3
All Meets are tentative and subject to change. If the facility operator or locator cannot make the proposed Meet time, it is important to provide a staffed phone number to allow communications between the operator and excavator to make other arrangements.
4
At the Meet, the excavator shall inform the facility operators and locators of the precise geographic location of the work, which must be within the area described on the ticket, the timetable, scope of work, and any other information needed for the facility operator or locator to protect the underground facilities.
5
GSOC will only schedule a tentative Meet location within the area for which excavation is proposed. If the parties desire to meet in a location outside the boundaries of the proposed excavation, they are required to coordinate that alternative location amongst themselves.
6
Excavators need to anticipate changes in the work site, weather, or other conditions that may change the direction or nature of the work and communicate those changes so that the facility operators and locators can adjust their protection efforts.
7
The use of white markings is required so there is a clear understanding of the work to be done in the field and its precise location.
8
Operators must attend the Meet; contact the excavator before and reschedule; or reach an agreement that a Meet is not required.