Business Solutions for Fall 2017

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BUSINESS solutions
JULIE stands for Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators. It’s a free
service that provides Illinois excavators and underground utility owners with a
message handling and delivery service committed to protecting underground
utilities and the safety of people working or living near them.
Illinois state law requires anyone planning an outdoor project that involves digging
to notify JULIE first, regardless of the depth or the size of the project. You can visit
and fill out an E-request, or you can call 8-1-1 (the nationwide
number) or 1-800-892-0123 (JULIE’s toll-free number).
Though most people are aware of this law, unfortunately not everyone follows it. As
experienced by Madison Communications, phone and internet lines do get damaged
during construction and other types of projects on business property. When this
happens, landline phone lines or the lines that go to cell towers can get cut, resulting
in neighboring businesses and individuals not being able to make calls.
Fortunately, phone and internet lines are designed so that only a limited service
area can be affected by any one cut. However, a cut line is more than just an incon-
venience; it could be a matter of safety. In a worst-case scenario, phone customers
could lose access to 911.
When a line does get cut, up to 16 hours may be required before it can be fixed. In
addition to the time needed, the cost can be substantial—in the thousands of dollars—
and the responsible party could be charged.
It’s important to note that the person doing the digging is responsible for making
the call. So if a business hires a contractor to do some digging, it’s the contractor’s
responsibility to make the call. If a line is cut and they haven’t called, they’re respon-
sible for the cost.
Madison Communications thanks you for your cooperation in
contacting JULIE before digging. Learn more at .
Call or Click
Before
You Dig
Who’s Minding
Your Business?
Brian Allen
Locator
Brian Allen became the Locator at
Madison Communications in June
2017, having previously worked for four
years at USIC, the largest underground
utility locating and damage prevention
company in North America.
What’s a typical workday like for Allen?
He replies, “I organize tickets in the
morning and route myself out for the
day. When I arrive at the ticket loca-
tion, I go over the full extent of the
project and figure out what all is in
conflict and where they plan to dig. I
look over prints, then visually inspect
the area to make sure it goes along
with prints and mark it out accord-
ingly. My job is different every day,
and it makes me proud to know I
play a major role in protecting our
infrastructure.”
Know the
Color Code
After an 811 call is made, locate crews
mark the location of underground
utility lines with paint or flags using
this universal color code:
• Red – Electric
• Orange – Communications,
Telephone/CATV
• Blue – Potable Water
• Green – Sewer/Drainage
• Yellow – Gas/Petroleum Pipe Line
• Purple – Reclaimed Waters
• White – Premark site of
intended excavation
Make sure you check the digging area
carefully before proceeding with your
project.
There are two
convenient ways
to contact JULIE Brian Allen, Madison Communications Locator