Excavator Safety Texas Administrative Code Title 16 Chapter

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

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

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

Excavator Safety Excavator Brochure DIG TESS

Excavator Safety Excavator Brochure DIG TESS

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

Excavator Safety After The Call: Before Your Start Date You should expect “Positive Response” by the pipeline operator within 48 hours. The operator will either: 1. Respond by fax or e-mail 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. DIG TESS

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

Excavator Safety SITE ASSESSMENT Observe for indications of an unmarked pipeline in the area. Examples include: – 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 2 nd request for facility locates. • The pipeline operator has 4 hours to respond to a second request. • Should you dig without locates? DIG TESS

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

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

Excavator Safety BLOWING GAS? Abandon equipment in place and call 911 • • 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! DIG TESS

Excavator Safety REQUIRED REPORTING File an electronic report on-line at ww. rrc. state. tx. us within 10 days if: • 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 2 nd notice. DIG TESS

Excavator Safety REQUIRED REPORTING Why should you file? • $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. DIG TESS

Excavator Safety TOP TEN Damages by Root Cause DIG TESS

Excavator Safety For reporting questions: Ø www. rrc. state. tx. us Ø Call 512 -475 -0512 Ø TDRFInfo@rrc. state. tx. us DIG TESS

Excavatorwww. onecalltexas. com Safety www. digtess. org www. rrc. state. tx. us www. commongroundalliance. com DIG TESS