Call the one-call utility locator service.
If you are planning to use directional drilling, contact your local one-call utility locator service
well ahead of the job. Let them know about the equipment you will be
using, and ask them to space locator marks closer together. This will
help you see if the utility's path shifts or turns suddenly.
Dig potholes so you can visually monitor the drill head.
A buried drill head makes it impossible to tell if you've struck a utility. This makes it even more important to keep a safe distance. Make sure the drill head remains at least three feet away from the utility. Keep the hole open until the drill head has been pulled back and the drilling is over.
Calibrate the bore head and locating device at the beginning of each job.
Remember, the locating device can monitor the bore head on the initial pass, but cannot monitor the backream head.
Stay at least three feet away when boring parallel to buried utilities. Pothole utilities so you can monitor the bore head path and visually verify a safe distance.
