Get the Scoop – Positive Response

Mastering Positive Response: Statuses, Compliance, and Liability

The days of assuming it is safe to dig simply because the “mark-by” time has passed are entirely over. Under Louisiana’s fortified Damage Prevention Law, Positive Response is not just a convenient communications system—it is a strict legal requirement. This framework completely shifts field liability, making it mandatory for utility operators to log their status electronically and equally mandatory for excavators to check those statuses before breaking ground.

This critical session provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Louisiana 811 Positive Response portal. We will examine what constitutes a legally compliant response, how to interpret specific system codes (such as “Marked,” “Clear/No Conflict,” or “No Posted Response Yet”), and the precise protocols an excavator must follow when a utility operator fails to log their status by the deadline. We will also cover those responses ONLY related to the “Large Project” ticket type.