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Ontario · Educational guide

Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification: Preparing for Excavation

A source-linked starting point for a conversation with a qualified professional. Not a coverage determination or legal opinion.

01

The context

This is an educational preparation guide, not a report of a new legal or insurance change. Before excavating, establish which notification, locate and safe-digging requirements apply to the site.

02

Who should read this

Excavation, landscaping, drilling and utility contractors working around underground infrastructure in Ontario.

03

What is known—and what depends on your situation

The Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 sets out notification and locate obligations. A locate response is not a guarantee that all infrastructure is identified or that insurance covers a strike. Private infrastructure, site conditions and the issued policy need separate attention.

04

Questions to bring to your broker

Check the work area, locate responses and their stated validity, utility-owner instructions, outstanding responses and arrangements for private services. Check the actual policy for underground-property exclusions and endorsements.

05

A practical next step

Keep a job-specific record of the requested work area, all locate responses and the crew briefing. Stop and resolve missing or conflicting information before excavation.

Sources and scope

Read the current source and its applicable edition. A linked form or statute does not establish the terms of your policy. Publication here is not evidence of an individual broker sign-off.

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