Underground Marking Standards & Policies

Welcome to the Underground Marking Standards & Policies Page!

Below you will find some basic FAQ's on White Lining that we hope will be educational.

In addition, on the right hand side under the PDF library you will find several valuable resources on these topics, including a Marking Standards presentation.

Please Click Here to register for a training class.

White Lining FAQ's

Q – I hear a lot about Georgia Law, Commission Rules, and UPC Policy. What is the difference between these three terms?

A – A law is a statute voted on and passed by the state legislature. A rule is written by a state commission which explains a law and generally provides direction to the public about how to administer or adhere to the law. Policy is written by an entity which is administering the rule and law.

Q – How does that concept apply to White Lining?

A – Georgia law (§25-9-6a1) states that a locate request shall, “…Describe the tract or parcel of land upon which the blasting or excavation is to take place with sufficient particularity, as defined by policies developed and promulgated by the UPC, to enable the facility owner or operator to ascertain the precise tract or parcel of land involved;…”. That tell us what needs to happen. Section 1d of GPSC Rule 515-9-4-.14 explains how to administer the law. It says in part, “…Utilities Protection Center, Inc. (“UPC” or “One-Call Center”) is hereby directed to establish policies and procedures which identify when white lining is required…”. Finally, in order to comply and to assist the excavating public with adhering to the law, UPC has adopted the Board Policy on Sufficient Particularity.

Q – Are the work types mentioned in the UPC Policy the only ones that are applicable to this? Can I add another work type?

A – The work types listed are for illustration purposes only and do not infer a complete list. We will not be publishing a list since each ticket and each set of locating instructions are taken on their own merit in order to determine sufficient particularity.

Q – What do I do if my work covers two of the quadrants on a piece of property? Do I have to white line then?

A – Not necessarily. As long as the work will take place on the quadrants named, sufficient particularity will apply.

Q – Can I be fined if I don’t white line when I should?

A – If you are found in violation of a Public Service Commission Rule, you may be fined up to $15,000.

Q – If I am told I should white line by the CSR and I don’t think I should, will the CSR still accept the ticket and send it to the Utility members for locating?

A – Yes. The UPC will not refuse to take any tickets as long as the information provided is clear. The CSR will note your responses on the ticket but will send it to the utility members as prescribed by law

Q – I enter tickets on the Web. Does the white lining rule and question apply to me also? What am I supposed to do on the tickets I enter?

A – This rule applies no matter if you are calling tickets into the call center or doing them yourself on line. We are asking that you be as specific as you can on your locate instructions and stay away from using Locate Entire Property on all tickets. While we understand this saves time when you are doing your web tickets, it actually can slow the entire facility locate process down in the long run.

Q – Is “Locate Entire Property” no longer acceptable at all on a ticket?

A – “Locate Entire Property” is still an acceptable set of instructions if indeed the excavation or blasting will take place throughout areas of the entire property. This rule is not intended to eliminate entire property locates. It is intended to better define where the excavation or blasting is to be done so that member utilities do not waste valuable time and money locating facilities where no work will take place. The intent is to make the entire process more efficient and effective.

Q – How will I know if I am doing a good job at describing with sufficient particularity on my web tickets? What happens if I think it is sufficient particularity according to the UPC Policy but it actually is not? Will I be fined?

A – We will be monitoring your web tickets through our normal quality assurance program. As we find tickets that do not specify the dig site with sufficient particularity and white lining is not checked on the ticket, you will be receiving a call from one of our quality assurance specialists and she will assist you and answer questions for you. After an educational and training period, the length of which is yet to be determined, we will count this item in our quality control program. As with other aspects of our QA program, if the same errors are repeated over time, you may loose your web entry privileges. You will not be fined, however, by the UPC. Please refer to the next question.

Q – Will the UPC turn me into the PSC if I don’t describe my dig site with sufficient particularity?

A – No. The UPC will not be identifying probable violations. A probable violation of this rule can only be determined in the field when the locator is locating the utilities. A locator or a member may file probable violations if the area should have been white lined but was not. The UPC has no way of knowing what was ultimately done prior to the locate technician’s arrival on site.

Q – What should I use to white line?

A – Water based white paint or white flags. Be sure your excavation company name appears with the paint or on the flags..