Changes to the Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act became effective July 1, 2023. To review those changes, visit https://va811.com/2023-law-changes/.


The Damage Prevention section investigates all reports of "probable violations" of the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act and presents its findings and recommendations to the Commission's Damage Prevention Advisory Committee. The Committee makes enforcement recommendations to the Commission. The Division provides free training relative to the Damage Prevention Act to stakeholders, conducts public education campaigns, and promotes partnership amongst various parties to further underground utility damage prevention in Virginia.

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In order to provide uniform and effective education and training relative to the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, and the Commission Rules for Enforcement of the Act, the Division of Utility and Railroad Safety has established a statewide Education Executive Committee. The Committee is comprised of seven members representing excavators, utility operators, locators, the notification center and the Commission Staff. Every year the Committee reviews the results of the educational efforts and recommends an education and training plan for the next year. Education plans have included:

• Radio, television, newspaper, trade magazine, high school athletic sporting event, homeowner association, and billboard advertisements to encourage excavators to "Dig with C.A.R.E." in Virginia;
• Encouragement for utilities to include the C.A.R.E. message in their bill inserts, newsletters and other publications;
• Creation of the Miss Utility of Virginia website;
• Distribution of C.A.R.E. educational materials;
• Placement of C.A.R.E. stickers on operator, excavator and locator's vehicles and excavation equipment;
• Attendance at and distribution of educational materials at contractor and construction trade shows, fairs, etc.
• Establishment of Local Damage Prevention Committees ("LDPC") to hold regular meetings around the Commonwealth to discuss specific issues and concerns of the area;
• Providing training at the LDPC's meetings;
• Creation of training modules on subjects such as safe digging practices, understanding marking of utility lines, understanding the Act and the Commission's Rules;
• General outreach programs.

In addition to these efforts, the Division has three full-time damage prevention trainers that travel to offices, construction sites and other locations to provide training to stakeholders at no cost. The Division's trainers have educated thousands to date. Should you wish to receive training relative to the law, the Miss Utility process, or the Commission's damage prevention program, please call Tracey Lamb at (804) 371-1588.

SCC DAMAGE PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE EDUCATION CREDIT PLAN

LOCAL DAMAGE PREVENTION COMMITTEES

C.A.R.E. Art

Links to the images below will open in a new browser window. Right click on the open image and "save as" to your computer. The following images are low resolution files. High resolution images are available. Contact Tracey Lamb at tracey.lamb@scc.virginia.gov for information on how to receive them.

1. CARE Black and White Banner
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3. CARE Call Miss Utility Banner
4. CARE Logo
5. CARE message
6. CARE black text
7. CARE
8. Dig With CARE Banner Black
9. Dig With CARE
10. Damage Prevention Partner Logo
11. APWA Marking Colors
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14. Damage Prevention Partner Logo with quote
15. VA Blue & Red CARE
16. Teal and Yellow Dig with CARE Narrow Banner
17. Teal and Yellow Call 811 Vertical Banner
18. Teal and Yellow CARE Message

GENERAL:

Va. Code § 56-265.16:1.E states that "a notification center shall maintain a positive response system in accordance with notification center certification regulations promulgated by the State Corporation Commission."

The purpose of the positive response system is to provide a means of communication for excavators and operators relative to underground utility lines near a proposed excavation.

To check the status of your ticket, call the positive response system toll free: 1-800-552-3120.

Positive Response Codes - Effective November 27, 2013

The following is a list of positive response codes that are used in conjunction with the positive response system to communicate the marking status of a ticket:

10 Marked. Code 10 shall be used when all utility lines within the area of proposed excavation have been marked.
11 Marked; abandoned utility lines may be in area. Code 11 shall be used when all utility lines within the area of proposed excavation have been marked and the operator/locator is aware of the presence of abandoned utility lines.
12 Marked up to privately owned utility; contact private utility owner for locate. Code 12 shall be used when all utility lines within the area of proposed excavation have been marked and the operator/locator is aware of the presence of a private utility line.
13 Marked up to privately owned utility; contact private utility owner for locate. Abandoned utility lines may be in area. Code 13 shall be used when all utility lines within the area of proposed excavation have been marked and the operator/locator is aware of the presence of both private utility lines and abandoned utility lines.
30 No conflict; utility is outside of stated work area. Code 30 shall be used when the operator/locator has determined that no utility lines are in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket. When the operator/locator has marked facilities that are outside of the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket, in compliance with State Corporation Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 I, the operator/locator shall respond to the excavator – operator information exchange system with Code 30.
31 No conflict; utility is outside of stated work area. Abandoned utility lines may be in area. Code 31 shall be used when the operator/locator has determined that no utility lines are in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket and the operator/locator is aware of the presence of abandoned utility lines in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket. When the operator/locator has marked facilities that are outside of the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket, in compliance with State Corporation Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 I, the operator/locator shall respond to the excavator – operator information exchange system with Code 31.
32 No conflict; privately owned utility on property. Contact private utility owner for locate. Code 32 shall be used when the operator/locator has determined that no utility lines are in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket and the operator/locator is aware of the presence of private utility lines in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket. When the operator/locator has marked facilities that are outside of the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket, in compliance with State Corporation Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 I, the operator/locator shall respond to the excavator – operator information exchange system with Code 32.
33 No conflict; privately owned utility on property. Contact private utility owner for locate. Abandoned utility lines may be in area. Code 33 shall be used when the operator/locator has determined that no utility lines are in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket and the operator/locator is aware of the presence of both private utility lines and abandoned utility lines in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket. When the operator/locator has marked facilities that are outside of the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket, in compliance with State Corporation Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 I, the operator/locator shall respond to the excavator – operator information exchange system with Code 33.
40 Agreed to a meeting as proposed by excavator. Code 40 shall be used in response to a meeting notice when the operator/locator agrees to a meeting at the specific time and location proposed by the excavator. The meeting must take place by 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the meeting notice.
41 Mutually agreed to alternative meeting time and location. Code 41 shall be used when an operator/locator is unable to attend a meeting as proposed by the excavator. The operator/locator shall set up a mutually agreeable time and location to meet no later than 7:00 AM on the third working day following the meeting notice. Both excavator and operator/locator are encouraged to document the arrangements.
50 Installation records, maps or other documents have been provided. Code 50 shall be used in response to a designer ticket when the designer does not request field markings to be placed. The information provided by the operator/locator may include, but is not limited to, maps, surveys, installation records, as-built records, or other means.
51 Records or information regarding private sewer laterals have been provided. Code 51 shall be used for any of the following conditions:
    When a sewer system operator has provided to the excavator copies of the best reasonably available records regarding the location of private sewer laterals by electronic message, mail, facsimile, or other delivery methods.
    If the sewer system operator has no such records, but has notified the excavator of additional information about the location of private sewer laterals.
    If the excavation area affects 25 or more private sewer laterals, and the sewer system operator provides records regarding the location of private sewer laterals within 15 working days, or another mutually agreeable time. Both sewer system operator and excavator are encouraged to document the agreement in writing (electronic or paper).
52 Records regarding private sewer laterals have been provided on an accessible electronic system. Code 52 shall be used when the sewer system operator has provided the best reasonably available records regarding the location of private sewer laterals on the Internet or another readily accessible electronic system. If the system’s location is unknown to the excavator, the excavator shall contact the operator to determine the system’s location and how to retrieve the records.
53 Agreed to an on-site meeting to provide additional information regarding private sewer laterals. Code 53 shall be used when a sewer system operator has agreed to meet the excavator on-site because the sewer system operator has no records regarding the location of private sewer laterals, but the sewer system operator has additional information to convey to the excavator.
60 Locator and excavator agreed and documented marking schedule. Code 60 shall be used when an operator/locator has contacted the excavator and the excavator has agreed to an alternate marking schedule. Operator/locator must document agreement in writing (electronic or paper) to include, at a minimum, full name of excavator representative agreeing to the schedule, the excavator’s phone number, excavator’s signature if possible, reasons for the marking schedule, and date and time of the agreement. The operator/locator must provide the name of the excavator’s representative agreeing to the alternate marking schedule to VUPS’ Positive Response System with the use of Code 60.
70 Critical facility marked. In case of dredging, the approximate horizontal location of the utility line has been identified. Operator must be present during dredging or other forms of excavation or demolition operations.
    Code 70 shall only be used when such operations are performed in such proximity to a critical facility that it may be destroyed, damaged, dislocated, or disturbed. If only part of the work area defined on the Miss Utility Ticket requires the operator’s presence, it shall be the operator’s responsibility to notify the excavator, clearly delineate when the operator’s presence will be required and document in writing (electronic or paper), the notification to include, at a minimum, full name of excavator representative, the excavator’s phone number, excavator’s signature if possible, and the date and time of the notification. When the operator has indicated its presence is required, it shall be the excavator’s responsibility to notify the operator in advance of excavation in that part of the work area, and document in writing (electronic or paper), the notification to include, at a minimum, full name of operator representative, the operator’s phone number, operator’s signature if possible, and date and time of the notification to the operator. In the case of dredging, an acceptable means of identifying and or marking the approximate horizontal location of the underground utility line must be determined and that information must be provided to the person intending to dredge. For other forms of excavation or demolition, the underground utility line(s) shall be marked. When an operator/locator responds to a ticket with a Code 70, it shall be the operator/locator’s responsibility to provide the excavator/dredger with the appropriate name and preferred contact information, i.e. telephone number, facsimile (“Fax”) number, email address and or mailing address, for the excavator/dredger to use to inform the operator of the date and time when the dredging or other forms of excavation operations will commence.
71 Critical facility not marked; locator or utility operator must contact excavator and must be present during excavation.
    Code 71 shall only be used when the operator’s presence is necessary during the excavation due to the fact that the underground utility line is of such importance to national security that marking it in accordance with the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act is not appropriate. The operator must be present during excavation or demolition operations when such operations are performed in such proximity to a critical facility that it may be destroyed, damaged, dislocated, or disturbed. If only part of the work area defined on the Miss Utility Ticket requires the operator’s presence, it shall be the operator’s responsibility to notify the excavator, clearly delineate when the operator’s presence will be required and document in writing (electronic or paper), the notification to include, at a minimum, full name of excavator representative, the excavator’s phone number, excavator’s signature if possible, and the date and time of the notification. When the operator has indicated its presence is required, it shall be the excavator’s responsibility to notify the operator in advance of excavation in that part of the work area, and document in writing (electronic or paper), the notification to include, at a minimum, full name of operator representative, the operator’s phone number, operator’s signature if possible, and date and time of the notification to the operator. When an operator/locator responds to a ticket with Code 71, it shall be the locator/operator’s responsibility to provide the excavator with the appropriate name and contact information for the excavator to use to inform the operator of the date and time when excavation will commence.
80 The status of the utility line has been determined to be abandoned. Code 80 shall be used by an operator when the operator has determined the status of a utility line is abandoned.
81 Mutually agreed to an alternative time to determine if the utility line is abandoned. Code 81 shall be used when an excavator and operator have negotiated a mutually agreeable time period in excess of 27 hours for the operator to provide information relative to an abandoned utility line if site conditions prohibit the operator from making such a determination or extraordinary circumstances exist. The operator shall notify the excavator of the date and time when the status of the utility line will be determined. However, the deferral to determine the status of the utility line shall be no longer than 96 hours from 7 a.m. on the next working day following the excavator's additional notice to the notification center.
82 The utility line in question does not belong to this operator. Code 82 shall be used when an operator has determined that the alleged abandoned utility line is not owned by that operator.
90 Locator could not gain access to property; locator will contact excavator. When an operator/locator responds to a ticket with Code 90, it shall be the operator/locator’s responsibility to contact and inform the excavator of their inability to gain access to the property to mark the area of excavation. The operator/locator must provide the name of the excavator’s representative that they contacted to VUPS’ Positive Response System with the use of Code 90. It shall be the excavator’s responsibility to make the property accessible to the operator/locator and call a new ticket for those operators who initially responded to the ticket with a Code 90, if necessary.
91 Incorrect address information; please call Miss Utility and provide correct information. Code 91 shall be used when the excavator has provided incorrect address information to the notification center. The operator/locator shall make a reasonable attempt to contact the excavator to verify the address information before the placement of this code. It shall be the excavator’s responsibility to verify the address information and call the notification center to request a new ticket with the correct information.
93 Scope of work is too large; please call Miss Utility to reschedule. Code 93 shall be used when the area of proposed excavation exceeds the limits of a work area as defined in § 56-265.17 F. It shall be the excavator’s responsibility to call the notification center and request a new ticket or tickets that complies with § 56-265.17 F
94 Location of proposed work is unclear; please call Miss Utility and provide the specific location on a new ticket. Code 94 shall be used when the operator/locator is unable to determine the area of proposed excavation according to the specific location delineated on the ticket. The operator/locator must make a reasonable attempt to contact the excavator to clarify the specific location of where the excavation is planned. It shall be the excavator's responsibility to call the notification center and request a new ticket with a specific location of proposed excavation if the original area is insufficient.
96 No response required from this terminal. Code 96 shall be used if no response is required from a specific terminal ID code. If an operator has multiple terminal codes that overlap, they may choose to use Code 96 to display that a certain terminal is not responding. If a ticket is cancelled, the operator/locator shall use this code to respond. (VUPS will not post responses on a cancelled ticket to the Positive Response system.) If a ticket is transmitted to an operator/locator’s terminal, but field markings are performed by another person under contract with the operator, Code 96 may be used by the operator/locator to convey that they will not respond. The person responsible for marking the utility line is required¹ to update to the positive response system with the current marking status. Operators/locators are encouraged to document the reason that no response was required.
97 Extraordinary circumstances exist. Code 97 is only used in the event that extraordinary circumstances exist. These circumstances may include: floods, snow, ice storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, other natural disasters, blackouts, and massive computer network failures. In addition to Locator Response Codes entered by Miss Utility’s member operators or their contract locators, the Positive Response System generates the following automated responses when applicable:
000 No Response. This is an automated place holder generated by Miss Utility's Positive Response System that indicates the member operator has not yet responded and the ticket's due by date and time has not yet passed. Once a response is posted by the member operator or the due by date and time has passed, the code is removed.
888 Ticket Has Been Cancelled. This is an automated response generated by Miss Utility's Positive Response System when a ticket is cancelled by the person who requested it. Once this response is posted, the system will not accept any further response from any member operator or their contract locator.
999 Has Not Responded. This is an automated response generated by Miss Utility's Positive Response System for Normal, Update, Remark, Designer and Meeting tickets immediately after the due by date and time has passed and a member operator or its contract locator has failed to post a response code to the Positive Response System. A “No Show” ticket is transmitted by Miss Utility to the member operator as the response 999 is posted to the system.

Inquiries concerning the Response Codes:

To report a problem or make a general inquiry regarding the use of the Response Codes, contact the State Corporation Commission’s Division of Utility and Railroad Safety:

Call: 1-800-552-7945 or 804-371-9563
Email: vadamageprevention@scc.virginia.gov
Write: Damage Prevention Investigator
Division of Utility and Railroad Safety
State Corporation Commission
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, Virginia 23218

¹ In the event that the person responsible for marking the utility line is the same as the person requesting the ticket, an additional response is not required.

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