Excavator Safety DIG TESS Texas Administrative Code Title 16 Chapter 18 Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention

Excavator Safety DIG TESS Doug Meeks, CHST 25 years experience in underground utility construction/maintenance 15 years experience in occupational safety Damage Prevention Manager DIG-TESS

Excavator Safety DIG TESS Chapter 18 Damage Prevention Brochures Overview of Chapter 18 requirements; Provide information on how to file a TDRF report. Are now available online:

Excavator Safety DIG TESS Excavator Brochure

Excavator Safety DIG TESS Excavator Brochure

Excavator Safety DIG TESS REQUEST LOCATES At least 48 hours in advance; Not more than 14 working days prior to beginning the work. 811 In The Field - Call 811 GeoRemote From The Office – Online With GeoRemote One-Call tickets expire after 14 working days!

Excavator Safety DIG TESS After The Call: Before Your Start Date 1.Respond by fax or that their pipeline is “All Clear”; or 2.Mark the approximate location of the pipeline with the appropriate APWA marking color; or 3.Arrange for a meeting or communicate any special instructions. You should expect “Positive Response” by the pipeline operator within 48 hours. The operator will either:

Excavator Safety DIG TESS AT THE JOBSITE One-call ticket? –On site or produce it within 1 hour; –Refresh ticket if the job lasts more than 14 working days. White line the work area? Required meeting at the site?

Excavator Safety DIG TESS SITE ASSESSMENT –Pipeline ROW markers or old paint markings; –Valve boxes, meters, risers, or regulators; –Street cuts or ditchlines; If pipelines are not marked or cleared within 48 hours, submit a 2nd request for facility locates. The pipeline operator has 4 hours to respond to a second request. Should you dig without locates? Observe for indications of an unmarked pipeline in the area. Examples include:

Excavator Safety DIG TESS Avoiding Damage Protect and preserve locate markings; Request relocates as necessary; No mechanized excavation equipment within 18” either side of the pipeline; Proper backfill and compaction. Excavator must exercise reasonable care to prevent damage to the pipeline. This typically requires:

Excavator Safety DIG TESS What Is “Damage” Cracked or chipped coating Dents or scrapes Displacement Tracer wire Valve boxes Anodes The Obvious: Puncturing or severing the pipeline.

Excavator Safety DIG TESS BLOWING GAS? Keep people and vehicles out of the area; Eliminate ignition sources; Evacuate if necessary; Wait for the fire department and facility operator; Do not attempt to repair! Do not cover it up! Abandon equipment in place and call 911

Excavator Safety DIG TESS REQUIRED REPORTING You damage a pipeline; The pipeline operator fails to provide a “Positive Response” within 48 hours; or The pipeline operator fails to respond within 4 hours of 2nd notice. File an electronic report on-line at ww.rrc.state.tx.us within 10 days if: ww.rrc.state.tx.us

Excavator Safety DIG TESS REQUIRED REPORTING $1000 fine per violation for non-compliance; They need your side of the story to ensure a complete investigation. –The Top Ten Root Causes provided through the TDRF system as of yet depicts only part of the story. Why should you file?

Excavator Safety DIG TESS TOP TEN Damages by Root Cause

Excavator Safety DIG TESS For reporting questions:   Call 

Excavator Safety DIG TESS