Kentucky 811 > Contractors > Frequently Asked Questions for Professionals

Frequently Asked Questions for Professionals

I’m not using heavy machinery. Do I need to contact 811?

Yes! You must contact Kentucky 811 for all digging projects, including installing mailboxes, fences, or landscaping. Click here to submit a locate request.

How far in advance should I contact Kentucky 811?

You must contact 811 two full working days, or more depending on the size and scope of the project, prior to excavation to give member utilities enough time to mark the approximate location of their underground utilities and provide a positive response. “Working day” means every day, except Saturday, Sunday, and holidays established by federal or state statute from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time until 12 midnight Eastern Time, excluding the day the locate request was made.

Is there a fee to have utility lines marked on my job site?

No. Kentucky 811’s services are free.

Do I need to notify 811 even if I am digging in an area that has previously been marked?

Yes, you need to submit a new locate request each time you want to dig. Factors like erosion and plant growth can alter the location of buried utility lines. It is also possible that utility companies have added new utility lines since a site was last marked.

I have private facilities at my job site. What do I do?

Some underground utilities will NOT be marked by Kentucky 811 members because they are not owned by Kentucky 811 members. Examples of private facilities include electric or water lines to a pool, lines to septic tanks, electric lines to sheds or landscape lighting, lawn sprinkler systems, invisible pet fencing, and more.

I have private facilities at my job site. What do I do?

Some underground utilities on your property will NOT be marked by Kentucky 811 members because they are not owned by Kentucky 811 members. Examples of private facilities include electric or water lines to a pool, lines to septic tanks, electric lines to sheds or landscape lighting, lawn sprinkler systems, invisible pet fencing, and more.

A good general rule of thumb is if the utility runs from the street to the meter, it will be marked. If the utility is installed from the meter to another location at your dig site, it will not be marked.

Since member utilities are not responsible for marking private facilities, it is the property owner’s responsibility to contact a private locating company. Visit our Private Locates page for more information regarding private facilities and companies that will locate them for a fee.

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What is positive response?

Positive response is an important tool that allows member utilities to communicate the status (“Marked,” “Clear,” etc.) of a locate request directly with the excavator. This full-circle communication increases clarity and reduces the chance of a damage occurring, and each stakeholder plays an important role in the positive response loop.

What is positive response?

Positive response is an important tool that allows member utilities to communicate the status (“Marked,” “Clear,” etc.) of a locate request directly with the excavator. This full-circle communication increases clarity and reduces the chance of a damage occurring, and each stakeholder plays an important role in the positive response loop.

If a member utility displays “Through the One Call System” as a status, that means the status is communicated to Kentucky 811 instead of directly to the excavator. “Through the One Call System” has advantages to both the utility company and excavator, including:

  • A record of the response at Kentucky 811 – this is helpful when there are questions about a response, especially during a dispute.
  • Turning the positive response communication into a safety checklist at the excavation site. “Marked” with no corresponding color-coded paint, flags, or chalk can indicate that investigation is warranted before excavation begins.

Although Kentucky law does not mandate positive response “Through the One Call Center,” it is supported by Kentucky 811 with ITIC. It’s a free tool we encourage all member utilities, locators, and excavators to participate in to decrease the chance of damages.

Once you submit your locate request, you can view the status at any time by visiting the Kentucky 811 Ticket Search & Status. You will also receive an email when the excavation start date and time passes showing the current positive response status for all notified member utilities.

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How do I check positive response through the one call system?

There are multiple ways to check positive response status:

  1. Click the link included on the ticket in your confirmation email
  2. Log into your ITICnxt account and go to the “My Tickets” section – scroll down to the “members notified” section

How do I check positive response through the one call system?

There are multiple ways to check positive response status:

  1. Click the link included on the ticket in your confirmation email
  2. Log into your ITICnxt account and go to the “My Tickets” section – scroll down to the “members notified” section
  3. Use the Kentucky 811 Ticket Search & Status to search for any ticket using the ticket number
  4. Use the Kentucky 811 app to access Ticket Search & Status while on the go

If a member utility participates in positive response, you’ll see their current status. If they do not participate by responding back to the Kentucky 811 with a status, you’ll see “Does not participate.” They are still required to do the locate, but it won’t be confirmed in the system.

Positive response is not mandatory in the state of Kentucky. If you have a status question regarding a member utility that does not provide positive response, you will have to contact the utility company directly. If you have any general questions about member utility response, call Kentucky 811 at 8-1-1 or 800-752-6007.

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What are the positive response codes used through the one call system?

ITIC supports the following response codes:

1 – Marked – Does conflict — underground facilities have been marked.

1A – Marked with Exceptions – High-profile utility in conflict. Utility owner will attempt to contact you to schedule site surveillance.

What are the positive response codes used through the one call system?

ITIC supports the following response codes:

1 – Marked – Does conflict — underground facilities have been marked.

1A – Marked with Exceptions – High-profile utility in conflict. Utility owner will attempt to contact you to schedule site surveillance.

1B – Marked with Exceptions – High-priority subsurface installation in conflict. Excavator MUST notify the member of the excavation or demolition start date and time.

2 – Clear – No underground facilities are in the area where the excavation will take place.

3A – Unmarked – Locate technician could not gain access to property. Call 811 to schedule access.

3B – Unmarked – Incorrect address information. Call 811 to verify the information on the ticket.

3C – Unmarked – Marking delay requested by locate technician and agreed to by excavator per agreement. Excavation site is unmarked. The locate technician cannot mark within two full working days. The excavator was contacted, and a new deadline was scheduled.

3D – Unmarked – Locate instructions are unclear. Call 811 to clarify where on the property you will be excavating and need the underground facilities located.

3E – Unmarked – The excavator has performed the excavation prior to the locator’s arrival.

3F – Unmarked – Line is “untonable” and utility has been notified to the resolve issue.

4 – Private Line – This is a private line, and it is not the responsibility of the members of 811 to locate private facilities.

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The member utilities have responded. Now, where should I dig?

Now that you’ve received a positive response that the member utilities’ facilities have been marked or are not in conflict, you can begin digging with care. Kentucky law defines the tolerance zone as a strip of land at least four (4) feet wide, but not wider than the width of the underground facility, plus two (2) feet on either side of the outer limits of the facility. When excavation or demolition is necessary within the tolerance zone, the excavator shall hand-dig or use non-intrusive means to avoid damage to the underground facility.

The member utilities have responded. Now, where should I dig?

Now that you’ve received a positive response that the member utilities’ facilities have been marked or are not in conflict, you can begin digging with care. Kentucky law defines the tolerance zone as a strip of land at least four (4) feet wide, but not wider than the width of the underground facility, plus two (2) feet on either side of the outer limits of the facility. When excavation or demolition is necessary within the tolerance zone, the excavator shall hand-dig or use non-intrusive means to avoid damage to the underground facility.

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How do I know what the marks mean?

Refer to the Excavator Manual and the APWA Color Code Guide to interpret the colored paint or flags indicating the approximate location of buried utilities.

How do I confirm the marks?

After waiting the required two full working days after submitting your locate request, check to ensure that all affected utilities have provided a positive response to your request:

How do I confirm the marks?

After waiting the required two full working days after submitting your locate request, check to ensure that all affected utilities have provided a positive response to your request:

  • If you already have an account, go to ky.itic.occinc.com and log in. You can view a ticket through the “My Tickets” page by clicking on the ticket number. Scroll down to the “members notified” section to see the list of utilities and their statuses.
  • If you do not have an account, go to searchandstatus.com, enter the ticket number, choose Kentucky from the state drop-down list, and click search. Scroll down to the “members notified” section to see the list of utilities and their statuses.
  • Positive Response is not mandatory in the state of Kentucky. If you have a status question regarding a utility that does not provide positive response, you will have to contact the utility company directly.
  • Call Kentucky 811 at 8-1-1 or 800-752-6007 if you have any questions about utility response.
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My ticket is still valid, but I can no longer see the marks. Can I dig?

If the marks are no longer visible, you must request a re-mark and wait the required two full working days for response.

I think I hit a utility line. What should I do?

Stop digging immediately. Step away from the area and call 911 if the damage results in the escape of flammable, toxic or corrosive gas or liquid, or if danger is present. After calling 911, notify the utility directly. Lastly, inform Kentucky 811 of the incident by calling 8-1-1 or 800-752-6007.