CCGA Best Practices
The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) Best Practices are Canada's consensus, nationally harmonized manual for preventing damage to underground infrastructure—from planning and design, to one-call notifications, locating/marking, safe excavation (tolerance zone), mapping, compliance, public education, and incident reporting. They're guidance (not law) but are widely referenced by owners and regulators and commonly written into contracts/specs.
Current Version: 5.0 (March 2024) • Status: National Consensus Guidance • Scope: Complete Damage Prevention Lifecycle • Coverage: All Canadian Provinces & Territories
What They Are
National Manual Structure
A national manual maintained by CCGA's National Best Practices Committee; current release is Version 5.0 (March 2024). The comprehensive guide covers all aspects of underground infrastructure damage prevention.
Complete Chapter Coverage
- • Planning & Design
- • One-Call/Notification
- • Locating & Marking
- • Excavation Practices
- • Mapping Requirements
- • Compliance Standards
- • Public Education
- • Reporting & Evaluation
Collaborative Development
Produced through collaboration of regional partners across stakeholder groups (owners, excavators, locators, municipalities, railways, etc.), and harmonized with U.S. CGA concepts.
Stakeholder Groups
- • Utility owners and operators
- • Excavation contractors
- • Professional locators
- • Municipal authorities
- • Railway companies
- • Provincial regulators
- • Federal agencies
- • Industry associations
Where They Apply / How They're Used
Adoption by Reference
Across Canada, by reference. The Best Practices become requirements when owners, provinces/territories, or projects adopt them in policy or contract. (BC and Ontario CGA pages describe them as consensus practices intended for broad adoption over time.)
Implementation Methods
- • Provincial policy adoption
- • Municipal bylaw integration
- • Contract specifications
- • Corporate standards
- • Project requirements
Regional Adoption
- • British Columbia CGA endorsement
- • Ontario consensus practices
- • Alberta utility safety integration
- • Quebec excavation standards
- • Federal pipeline guidance
Federal Recognition
Federal guidance (e.g., Canada Energy Regulator) points to CCGA Best Practices (and CSA Z247) as additional guidance for planning and ground disturbance near federally regulated pipelines.
Pipeline Damage Prevention
The Canada Energy Regulator specifically references CCGA Best Practices as authoritative guidance for ground disturbance activities near federally regulated pipeline infrastructure.
One-Call System Alignment
They align with Canada's one-call system—start at ClickBeforeYouDig.com, which routes requests to the provincial centre (e.g., Utility Safety Partners AB, Ontario One Call, Info-Excavation QC).
Alberta
Utility Safety Partners AB
Ontario
Ontario One Call
Quebec
Info-Excavation QC
British Columbia
BC One Call
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan One Call
National Portal
ClickBeforeYouDig.com
Utility-Relevant Highlights (Version 5.0)
Owner Response & Timelines
Owners must respond to a locate request (marking the tolerance zone or issuing an "all clear") within three working days or a mutually agreed date.
Response Requirements
Timeline Standards
- • Maximum 3 working days
- • Mutually agreed extensions allowed
- • Emergency response protocols
- • Weekend/holiday considerations
Response Types
- • Physical tolerance zone marking
- • "All clear" notifications
- • Conflict identification
- • Special condition notices
Tolerance Zone & Safe Excavation
Defines a tolerance zone (e.g., 1 m from the located facility) and prescribes careful methods within it (hand dig when practical, vacuum excavation, pneumatic tools, or other owner-approved methods).
Tolerance Zone Definition
- • Typically 1 meter from facility
- • May vary by utility type
- • Owner-specific requirements
- • Provincial regulatory variations
- • Special conditions apply
Safe Excavation Methods
- • Hand digging when practical
- • Vacuum excavation (hydrovac/air-vac)
- • Pneumatic excavation tools
- • Owner-approved methods
- • Competent operator requirements
Vacuum Excavation Practices
Recognizes "soft excavation technology" (hydrovac/air-vac) as equivalent or safer than hand digging when used by competent operators following owner/manufacturer procedures; provides frozen-ground guidance (e.g., hydrovac water ≤45 °C at the wand tip).
Standard Practices
- • Competent operator certification required
- • Owner/manufacturer procedure compliance
- • Equipment maintenance standards
- • Safety protocol adherence
- • Environmental considerations
Frozen Ground Guidance
- • Hydrovac water temperature ≤45°C at wand tip
- • Prevent thermal shock to utilities
- • Modified techniques for frozen conditions
- • Extended thawing procedures
- • Cold weather safety protocols
Locate Documentation & Validity
Locate sheets include ticket ID and expiry/validity instructions; crews must preserve marks and request refresh if marks deteriorate or are lost.
Documentation Requirements
- • Unique ticket ID tracking
- • Clear expiry/validity dates
- • Location method documentation
- • Accuracy limitations noted
- • Contact information provided
Mark Preservation
- • Protect marks during construction
- • Monitor mark visibility
- • Request refresh when deteriorated
- • Document mark loss incidents
- • Immediate re-locate requests
Compliance & Reporting
Includes a Compliance chapter and DIRT (Damage Information Reporting Tool) field form/root-cause cards to standardize incident reporting.
Compliance Framework
- • Performance measurement standards
- • Audit and assessment protocols
- • Corrective action procedures
- • Continuous improvement processes
- • Training and competency requirements
DIRT Reporting System
- • Standardized incident reporting
- • Root cause analysis cards
- • Field-ready documentation forms
- • Data collection standardization
- • Industry trend analysis support
How to Use Them on Your Project (Practical)
Write v5.0 Into Project Specifications
Write v5.0 into your specs for tickets, "positive response," tolerance-zone excavation, hydrovac use, locate content/expiry, and mark preservation/refresh.
Specification Areas
- • One-call ticket procedures and timelines
- • Positive response requirements and verification
- • Tolerance zone definition and safe excavation methods
- • Vacuum excavation standards and operator competency
- • Locate documentation, validity periods, and mark preservation
- • Compliance monitoring and incident reporting
Train to the Practices
Train to the practices (foremen/locators/excavator operators) and keep the DIRT card with the field package.
Training Requirements
- • Foreman and supervisor training on CCGA procedures
- • Professional locator certification and competency
- • Excavator operator training on safe dig practices
- • DIRT card familiarization and field availability
- • Emergency response and incident reporting procedures
Align with SUE & GIS Standards
Use CCGA practices operationally alongside ASCE 38-22 (SUE) for investigation quality levels and CSA S250/ASCE 75-22 for mapping/as-constructed standards. (The CCGA manual includes Mapping & Compliance chapters you can cite in procedures.)
Standards Integration
- • CCGA Best Practices for operational damage prevention
- • ASCE 38-22 for SUE investigation quality levels (QL-A through QL-D)
- • CSA S250 for Canadian mapping accuracy and attributes
- • ASCE 75-22 for data recording and exchange standards
- • CCGA Mapping & Compliance chapters for procedural guidance
Benefits of Following CCGA Best Practices
Canadian Standardization
Harmonized practices across all Canadian provinces and territories, ensuring consistent damage prevention nationwide.
Federal Recognition
Officially referenced by federal regulators including the Canada Energy Regulator for pipeline protection.
Stakeholder Consensus
Developed through collaboration of owners, excavators, locators, municipalities, and regulators.
Comprehensive Coverage
Complete lifecycle coverage from planning through incident reporting with standardized DIRT forms.
Industry Leadership
CCGA Best Practices Version 5.0 represents the most current consensus guidance for underground infrastructure damage prevention in Canada, with regular updates to reflect evolving industry needs and technological advances.
Need Help Implementing CCGA Best Practices?
Contact us to learn how our Visual Ground Disturbance System incorporates CCGA Best Practices Version 5.0 to ensure comprehensive compliance with Canadian damage prevention standards.