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Root Cause Groups 2021 – Even Distribution Across Process

The root causes reported in 2021 are fairly evenly distributed across the three major root cause groups (Excavation Practices, Locating Practices and No Locate Request). This consistent theme points to an increasing need for not only shared responsibility, but shared accountability, and taking ownership of each industry’s impact across the entire damage prevention process. Stakeholders must examine their own role and influence on the damage prevention process as a whole.

Figure 8

Figure 8 shows the damage percentages when the individual root causes are sorted into broader root cause groups. Miscellaneous is omitted because it accounts for less than 1% of all damages.

The Excavation Practices, Invalid Use of Request and Locating Practices root cause groups each consist of several individual root causes. Figures 9, 10, and 11 on the following pages provide additional detail on the individual root causes that make up those groups.

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