
ISNet RAVS Documents
Ground Disturbance - Canada Industry Practice RAVS
A Ground Disturbance RAVS is the written answer document that satisfies the ground disturbance element of the ISNetworld RAVS questionnaire. This Canada Industry Practice version is written to the highest regulatory standard so it serves contractors working across provinces or for federally regulated hiring clients. You add your company name, confirm the company-specific details, and upload it to your ISNetworld account.
- Pre-written answer aligned with Canadian regulatory references
- Upload to ISNetworld, Avetta, or ComplyWorks
- Word format — add your company name and customise in minutes
- Written by Canadian safety professionals
- Instant download after purchase
Need a different RAVS element?
Browse the National RAVS library, all RAVS documents, or request a custom RAVS for an element not in the catalogue.
Overview
What this RAVS document does
Disturbing the ground without locating buried facilities can mean striking a pipeline or a live cable, and the consequence is often fatal. A hiring client that configures this element wants to see a real ground disturbance program.
This document states your company's ground disturbance program in the structure an ISNetworld reviewer expects: the pre-job safety meeting, the safe work permit, locate approvals and the one-call system, locating and marking buried facilities, hand-digging the hand expose zone, protecting workers entering an excavation, backfill, and program review. It is written to the highest regulatory standard. The file arrives in editable Word format - add your company name, confirm the company-specific details, and upload.
What the reviewer verifies
What ISNetworld checks
ISNetworld does not just check that a ground disturbance answer exists. A reviewer verifies the document addresses each requirement the hiring client has configured. For this element, that typically means confirming the document covers:
- A written ground disturbance program with purpose and scope
- A pre-job safety meeting and a safe work permit
- Locate approvals from facility owners and the provincial one-call system
- Locating and marking buried facilities and hand-digging the hand expose zone
- Protecting workers entering an excavation with sloping, shoring, or a trench box
- The backfill inspection and regular program review
What is inside
The document sections
- Purpose, scope, and definitions
- Roles and responsibilities
- Pre-job safety meeting and work permit
- Locate approvals and the one-call system
- Locating and marking buried facilities
- Hand-digging the hand expose zone
- Protecting workers in an excavation and backfill
- Reference standards
Regulatory references this RAVS is written to
- Reference framework
- Canada Industry Practice - highest regulatory standard across Canadian jurisdictions
- Industry reference
- Canadian Common Ground Alliance - damage prevention best practices
- Federal framework
- Canada Labour Code, Part II - Occupational Health and Safety
Who it is for
Who needs this RAVS
This RAVS is for contractors whose hiring clients require the ground disturbance element in ISNetworld, Avetta, or ComplyWorks. It applies to oil and gas, pipeline, civil, utility, and construction contractors whose crews excavate, trench, bore, or otherwise disturb the ground. If a hiring client's pre-qualification configuration flags ground disturbance, this is the document the reviewer is waiting on.
Practical guidance
How to pass the ground disturbance review the first time
- Use the one-call system. The document states the provincial one-call system is notified and locate approvals are obtained before work. A reviewer expects that step on every job.
- Hand-dig the hand expose zone. The document states the buried facility is exposed by hand digging or an approved non-destructive method within the hand expose zone. A reviewer expects that practice.
- Keep your locates and permits. The document states a safe work permit is completed and locate information is verified before work. A hiring client audit will ask to see those records.
The full library
Browse every National RAVS document in one place
One catalogue, filterable and searchable, for the whole province.
Working in another province?
The same RAVS, written for other provinces
ISNetworld reviewers verify each answer against the legislation of the province the work is in. Pick the version that matches where your crews actually work.
Common questions
Questions about this RAVS
- What does the ISNetworld ground disturbance RAVS include?
- It is a complete, pre-written ground disturbance program written as an ISNetworld RAVS answer. It covers the pre-job safety meeting, the work permit, locate approvals and the one-call system, locating and marking buried facilities, hand-digging, protecting workers in an excavation, and backfill.
- Is this a Canada Industry Practice document?
- Yes. It is written as a Canada Industry Practice RAVS to the highest regulatory standard across Canadian jurisdictions, so it serves contractors working in multiple provinces or for federally regulated hiring clients. Provincial ground disturbance RAVS are also available.
- What is the hand expose zone?
- The document states the hand expose zone is the zone within 1 metre of each side of the locate marks. Before mechanical excavation is used within this zone, the buried facility is exposed by hand digging or an approved non-destructive method.
- How long does it take to complete and upload?
- Most companies finish in 15 to 30 minutes. You add your company name, confirm a few company-specific details, then copy the content into your ISNetworld RAVS questionnaire.
