Texas Administrative Code Title 16 Chapter 18 Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention

1. Texas Administrative Code Title 16Chapter 18Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention

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

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

4. Excavator Brochure

5. Excavator Brochure

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

7. After The Call: Before Your Start Date • Respond by fax or e-mail that their pipeline is “All Clear”; or • Mark the approximate location of the pipeline with the appropriate APWA marking color; or • 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:

8. 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?

9. 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:

10. Avoiding Damage Excavator mustexercise 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.

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

12. 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

13. 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:

14. 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.

15. TOP TEN Damages by Root Cause

16. For reporting questions: • www.rrc.state.tx.us • Call 512-475-0512 • TDRFInfo@rrc.state.tx.us

17. www.digtess.org www.rrc.state.tx.us www.commongroundalliance.com www.onecalltexas.com