Author: GSOC
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Suggested Practices for Electronic Marking from MNCGA
Minnesota law requires excavators to provide facility operators with white markings on all excavations, without exception. Starting January 1, 2026, an excavator may provide markings in electronic form if they provide the same level of information as physical markings. Facility operators may still require excavators to physically mark the area of excavation, even if marked…
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Webinar Wednesdays: Free Online Ticket Submission Training
Gopher State One Call (GSOC) offers a free training webinar most Wednesdays that covers online locate request submission through ITIC, our online ticking software. ITIC is packed with practical features, including: To sign up for an upcoming Webinar Wednesday, click here and select “ITIC’s New Interface Webinar” on a date that works for you. If the Wednesday…
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Meet Tickets: Working Better Together on Large Projects
In 2024, Minnesota state law changed to require any project where the work involves excavation of one mile or more in length—or any combination of notices provided for adjacent geographic sections that, when combined, meet or exceed the minimum excavation length of one mile—to file a “Meet Ticket” with Gopher State One Call (GSOC). This…
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Meet the NEW GSOC Website and Its Exciting New Features
Welcome to Gopher State One Call (GSOC)’s newly redesigned website! The new layout provides a fresh look and feel, along with a new, easier to navigate structure and several exciting features. Keep reading to learn more about these new features. Search Option The GSOC website now has a search function to help you find anything…
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2025 811 5K Run/Walk: Community Event Promoting Underground Utility Safety
The 2025 811 5K Run/Walk resulted in another successful safe digging awareness event! More than 100 participants came together in Minneapolis to celebrate 811 Day on August 9, 2025, at Bde Maka Ska’s Thomas Beach to spread awareness of underground utility safety with a family friendly 5K, damage prevention-focused vendor fair, and popular Kids’ Race.…
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New Updates to Certification Requirements for Fiber Installation
Starting in 2026, Minnesota state law (Minnesota Statutes 326B.198) requires individuals performing the installation of underground telecommunications infrastructure to complete and maintain a Safety-Qualified Underground Telecommunications Installer Certification. The commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), in consultation with the Office of Broadband Development will approve standards for the certification program. Keep…
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That’s a Wrap: 2025 MN Damage Prevention Meetings
Each spring, damage prevention meetings are held by and for the excavation community all around the Minnesota. Focused on safe digging and best practice education, these meetings typically include presentations from Gopher State One Call and the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety, as well as guest speakers from other MN damage prevention stakeholders. In 2025, damage…
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Registration is Now Open For the 2025 811 Run/Walk
Registration is now open for the 2025 811 5K Run/Walk, which will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Bde Maka Ska’s Thomas Beach in Minneapolis. In addition to being a fantastic opportunity for utility professionals and their families to connect and cheer each other on, this annual event also allows community members outside…
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NEW: Free Dig Safe Training and Certification Course
Gopher State One Call and Underground Safety Academy are excited to announce the launch of a new Dig Safe Training and Certification course! Free for damage prevention professionals, the online course covers both the GSOC handbook and MN State Statue 216D – also known as the “Minnesota One Call Law” – in an engaging and interactive…