Ep. 46 Ontario One Call

Are you breaking the law every time you plant a shrub? This week we welcome Ian Simpson, VP of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Ontario One Call. That’s the public safety administrative authority that makes sure your gardening project doesn’t end in a damaged gas line or ruptured water main. You’ll find Call Before You Dig services across Canada and the United States (search  “One Call” for your province or “811” for your state), but Ontario is the one place where that call—or that click—is required by law. If you’re breaking ground, even by an inch or two, even out in the country, it’s your responsibility to submit a locate request to make sure you won’t be nicking any underground infrastructure.  Fortunately, Ontario One Call makes the process easy, free, and surprisingly quick. Ian explains how it works behind the scenes, what your responsibilities are as a homeowner, renter, or landscaping contractor, and why it matters so much. He also shares some startling statistics about the number of accidents that do happen, especially to people who think they know where their underground utilities are. Don’t be one of those statistics! Listen now and get the dirt on digging safety. Connect with Ontario One Call Colour Codes: https://ontarioonecall.ca/#coloursOntario One Call: https://ontarioonecall.ca/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnwjQMBxkG4QrPW2q5sbjpAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ON1Call/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/on1call/  Comments? Feedback? Want your garden question to be featured in a future Q&A segment?  Email us, reach out over social media, or get Q&A priority by supporting us on Patreon.  Discord: https://discord.gg/K6wF9dY4JaBluesky: @plantsalwayswin.comTikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcastYouTube: @plantsalwayswinpodcastWebsite: www.plantsalwayswin.com  CreditsWebsite Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH Timestamps 00:15 Introduction00:45 Meet Ian Simpson and Ontario One Call01:48 Underground Infrastructure in Rural Locations02:40 How to Request a Locate03:43 What if I’m Only Digging an Inch or Two?05:25 Sometimes the Infrastructure is a Mess06:20 Ian’s Role at Ontario One Call07:30 Close Calls and Consequences08:40 Statistics on Digging and Damage in Ontario12:03 Who’s At Fault When Damage Occurs?12:33 How it Works: Getting Locates from Infrastructure Owners14:05 Expiry Dates on Locates?15:30 How to Read the Colours of Spray-Painted Markings08:45 Unexpected Jobs that Might Require Locates19:36 Landscapers, Handymen and Liability24:12 Sharing Locates with Multiple Contractors26:19 Busting Myths28:00 Timing for Locates33:55 If You Do Hit Something…35:04 Courses and Resources Available from Ontario One Call37:00 When to Call 91138:31 What If You’re Not in Ontario?39:50 Final Words of Wisdom40:45 Outro and Contact Us