See General FAQ #14 for information about after-hours emergencies.

The facility operator/locator should communicate the delay with the excavator through an email, phone call, or both. The facility operator/locator may additionally post information on our Electronic Positive Response (EPR) system. Currently, participation in EPR is voluntary. To check the responses for your requests, go to: https://www.bluestakes.org/epr/. This is also accessible by clicking on the Positive Response icon or EPR Lookup icon from within our Mobile App. 

It is critical to have the best contact listed on each Locate Request. This contact should be someone familiar with the job site and able to answer questions from Blue Stakes, as well as the facility operators/locators.

Member facility operators and locators can access their locate requests and submit their electronic positive response (EPR) information into Blue Stakes system on our website and through our Mobile App, as well as by using Ticket Management Software. For more information, go to: https://www.bluestakes.org/epr/ , click on the “Request Information on EPR” button, then complete and submit the form.

To request training to enter Locate Requests online, go to the Tools option at the top of the page on our website www.bluestakes.org. After clicking on Tools, click on User Account Signup – Professional Excavators in the Professional Excavators column. This will direct you to the location for additional information, the link to sign up for training and a Quick Ticket Entry account.  This is also accessible by clicking on the Web Access Signup icon from within our Mobile App. 

After completing and submitting the sign-up form, you will receive an automatic email reply acknowledging the sign-up receipt. Shortly thereafter you will receive an email providing you with some brief instructions and a link to begin your online training. The online training can be completed at your own pace and convenience. 

New Locate Requests may also be entered online without the need for training by clicking on the Online Locate Requests button at the top of our webpage, then selecting the “New Request” option or by going directly to: https://ite.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on the New Locate Request icon from within our Mobile App. 

Online Ticket Revisions to current Locate Requests may also be entered online without the need for training by clicking on the Online Locate Requests button at the top of our webpage, then selecting “Revise Request” option or by going directly to: https://otr.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on the Update Locate Request icon from within our Mobile App. Online Ticket Revision options include: No Response Notices, Updates, Re-Marks, and Cancels. 

Yes indeed! The Utah Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act requires anyone engaging in any operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, explosives, or demolition to notify Blue Stakes at least three (3) business days but not more than 14 calendar days prior to excavation. 

Potholing locations must be pre-marked on site. You must provide which facility or facilities you are potholing for, information on the Locate Request of how the site is pre-marked, a reasonable area description for marking around the pre-marked site, and where the pre-marked location is on the property.

You can submit a Locate Request Ticket online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: https://ite.bluestakes.org/. There is also access to this application through our Mobile App.

The Utah state law explains it this way:

54-8a-7. Notice of damage — Repairs. (https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title54/Chapter8A/54-8a-S7.html)

(1) An excavator performing an excavation that results in contact or damage to a facility shall:  

(a) provide notice of the contact or damage including the location and nature of any damage immediately to the operator; 

(b) allow the operator reasonable time when considering the safety of the area, and the availability of materials, labor, or equipment, to make or coordinate necessary repairs before completing the excavation in the immediate area of the facility; and 

(c) delay any backfilling in the immediate area of the contacted or damaged facility until the operator authorizes the excavator to resume backfilling. 

(2) After receiving notification of contact or damage to a facility, the operator, or qualified personnel authorized by the operator, shall: 

(a) expedite a response to examine the contacted or damaged facility; and 

(b) make or coordinate necessary repairs to the contacted or damaged facility within eight business hours or notify the excavator that the repairs will take longer than eight business hours due to safety or availability of materials, labor, or equipment. 

(3) (a) An excavator that is responsible for an excavation where any contact or damage to a facility results in the discharge of electricity or escape of any flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid, or that endangers life, health, or property shall:  

(i) immediately notify:  

(A) emergency responders, including 911 services; and  

(B) the facility operator; and  

(ii) take reasonable measures to protect the excavator, other persons, property, and the environment until the operator or emergency responders arrive. 

Locate requests expire 21 calendar days from the date/time they are submitted (queued to be delivered) to the member facility operators. To extend the request beyond the expiration (Good Thru) date/time, the excavator will need to “Update” the request at least three (3) business days but no sooner than seven (7) calendar days prior to the expiration (Good Thru) date/time listed on the original request. To Update your request online go to: https://otr.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible within the Update Locate Request option on our Mobile App. 
 
There is currently not an option for automatic Updates. 
 
Note: Do not Update a request if excavation work is not going to take place within the 21 calendar day life of the Locate Request or if the scope of excavation work has changed. Wait until you are ready to excavate and submit a New request at least three (3) business days prior to excavating again. Your original Locate Request Ticket information can be used for a New Locate Request if all information remains the same and can be completed through the same Online Ticket Revision link. 

Utah law requires facility operators to mark only the lines that they own and maintain. This usually means up to the meter. Underground lines that extend beyond the meter or that are not connected to a meter are typically not installed or owned by a facility operator and therefore may not be marked. These include water and sewer laterals, power to a detached garage or lamppost, sprinkler/irrigation systems, lines connected to a propane tank or septic system, etc. 

Almost every job site will include some type of privately-owned underground pipe or cable. The excavator should inspect the property carefully and ask the property owner about private underground lines before digging. The excavator should consider hiring a private locator to mark private lines that could be in conflict with the excavation project. Areas where private lines are especially common include apartment complexes, mobile home parks, gated subdivisions, cabin communities, schools and universities, hospital complexes, industrial areas, government facilities and military installations.

Find additional info under General FAQ #6: https://www.bluestakes.org/faqs/ 

A request expires 21 calendar days from the day it was submitted (queued to be delivered) to the member facility operators. The Legal date/time, Update by date/time, and expiration (Good Thru) date/time will be included in the emailed or SMS copy of your Locate Request. 

If the markings are destroyed by weather, traffic, or excavation, the excavator will need to call 811, option 1 to speak to a Locate Specialist or go online to submit a Re-Mark on a current request and allow at least three (3) business days for the area to be re-marked. A Re-Mark Request does NOT extend the life of the Locate Request ticket.

If excavation work extends beyond expiration (Good thru) date and time, you may submit an Update on your current request over the phone by calling 811, option 1 or online. This must be completed before the “Update By” date and time listed on the Locate Request ticket.   

To submit a Re-mark request or an Update to a current Locate Request ticket online go to: https://otr.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible on our Mobile App. 

Yes. Instead of choosing Entire, Front or Rear, choose “Other.” Then enter your instructions in the “Specify Work Area” field. You will need to provide specific marking instructions for your “Pre-marked” area that you describe, including how you choose to pre-mark. 

• Example 1: Dig site is pre-marked with a white flag (or X) in the northeast corner of the lot. Please mark a 10 ft radius around the white flag (or X). 
• Example 2: Dig line is pre-marked in white paint on the east side of the building.  From east side of building please mark 50 ft east along the pre-marked line, while marking 5 ft on both sides of the pre-marked line for the given stretch. 
• Example 3: Dig area is a 10 ft x 20 ft pre-marked rectangle in the Rear of the given lot. This is pre-marked in white paint. Please mark the pre-marked area, as described. 

It is important to reach out to the excavator making the requests directly and express your concerns about these excessive requests for markings, where work appears to be complete.

The Utah Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act requires anyone engaged in “an operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, explosives, or demolition” to notify Blue Stakes at least three (3) business days but not more than 14 calendar days prior to excavation.

You can submit a Locate Request Ticket online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: https://ite.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on our Mobile App. 

Currently, a map cannot be linked or submitted along with a Locate Request ticket that will be sent to the member facility operator/locator for locating and marking. If a map would help the Locate Specialist (LS) create the request, the LS will provide an email address to send it to. 
However, the excavator will still need to provide all normal, required location and marking instructions. 
 
Most locate requests can be described over the phone or online. In situations where excavation projects are large, complicated or within a restricted area, a Meet with the facility operators/locators may be necessary. If a Meet is requested, the excavator will need to provide address information for a suitable location to meet, as well as the general boundaries of the dig site. The specific excavation area(s) within these boundaries can then be shown and discussed with the member facility operators at the Meet. A map of the excavation area may be required to be provided to each member facility operator at the Meet.

Blue Stakes currently has over 600 participating facility operators. There are large and small companies including gas, power, communications, water, sewer, municipalities, and more. Each participating member facility operator should ensure the facility lines that they own and maintain are located and marked within the described areas on Locate Request Tickets. Some of these member facility operators hire third party locating companies to do their required locating and marking on their behalf. 

A list of participating facility operators can be found here: Blue Stakes Members 

Pre-marking a location will save valuable resources and time. It will also help to reduce unnecessary overmarking for the type of work being completed.

While white lining or pre-marking the proposed excavation area has been recommended for years, it is not required by law in Utah. However, according to section 54-8a-4 (3) of the Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act:

54-8a-4. Notice of excavation. (https://www.bluestakes.org/law/)