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/#colours Ontario One Call: https://ontarioonecall.ca/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnwjQMBxkG4QrPW2q5sbjpA Facebook: 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/K6wF9dY4Ja Bluesky: @plantsalwayswin.com TikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcast YouTube: @plantsalwayswinpodcast Website: www.plantsalwayswin.com Credits Website 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 Introduction 00:45 Meet Ian Simpson and Ontario One Call 01:48 Underground Infrastructure in Rural Locations 02:40 How to Request a Locate 03:43 What if I’m Only Digging an Inch or Two? 05:25 Sometimes the Infrastructure is a Mess 06:20 Ian’s Role at Ontario One Call 07:30 Close Calls and Consequences 08:40 Statistics on Digging and Damage in Ontario 12:03 Who’s At Fault When Damage Occurs? 12:33 How it Works: Getting Locates from Infrastructure Owners 14:05 Expiry Dates on Locates? 15:30 How to Read the Colours of Spray-Painted Markings 08:45 Unexpected Jobs that Might Require Locates 19:36 Landscapers, Handymen and Liability 24:12 Sharing Locates with Multiple Contractors 26:19 Busting Myths 28:00 Timing for Locates 33:55 If You Do Hit Something… 35:04 Courses and Resources Available from Ontario One Call 37:00 When to Call 911 38:31 What If You’re Not in Ontario? 39:50 Final Words of Wisdom 40:45 Outro and Contact Us