Safety Management Division

1
David PanCoast Corporate Safety Director 2008
2
Underground utility protection

• W h y ?

3
Underground utility protection
Call Before You Dig!
THERES A LOT OF STUFF BURIED OUT THERE!
4
COMMUNICATIONS(COPPER CABLE, FIBER OPTICS)
5
ELECTRIC(PRIMARY SECONDARY CABLES)
6
WATER (MAINS SERVICES)
7
NATURAL GAS(PIPELINES, TRANSMISSION
DISTRIBUTION)
8
SEWER(FORCED GRAVITY, STORM SANITARY)
9
PETROLEUM(PIPELINES)
10
STEAM(MAINS)
11
IRRIGATION RECLAIMED WATER(MAINS
DISTRIBUTION)
12
How can we avoid these hidden hazards?
13
State One-Call Law
14

• OSHA 1926.651
• (b)(1) Underground installations. The estimated
  location of utility installations, such as sewer,
  telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any
  other underground installations that reasonably
  may be expected to be encountered during
  excavation work, shall be determined prior to
  opening an excavation.
• (b)(2) Utility companies or owners shall be
  contacted within established or customary local
  response times, advised of the proposed work, and
  asked to establish the location of the utility
  underground installations prior to the start of
  actual excavation. When utility companies or
  owners cannot respond to a request to locate
  underground utility installations within 24 hours
  (unless a longer period is required by state or
  local law), or cannot establish the exact
  location of these installations, the employer may
  proceed, provided the employer does so with
  caution, and provided detection equipment or
  other acceptable means to locate utility
  installations are used.
• (b)(3) When excavation operations approach the
  estimated location of underground installations,
  the exact location of the installations shall be
  determined by safe and acceptable means.
• (b)(4) While the excavation is open, underground
  installations shall be protected, supported or
  removed as necessary to safeguard employees.

15
Call Before You Dig
(notification timeframe varies by state
24-72 hours)

• No powered equipment within 18 48 (varies by
  state) of marked buried utilities.

16
Gas Telephone Marks
Verifying Utility Marks
Utility Locator
17
Finding Utilities
Electronic markers
18
Locating Options
You can use locating devices to verify existing
marks.
19
Look at surroundings for other signs.
Traffic Lights
Tombstones
Street Lights
Gas Station
Electric Meter
Utility Pole Risers
Grates / Covers
Utility Markers
Railroad Signals
Transformers
Manhole Lids
Fire Hydrant
Telephone Booth
20
Exposing Utilities Safely
NO POWERED EQUIPMENT
NO SHARP TOOLS
Shovel
Vacuum Excavation
Hydro-Excavation
Air Knife
21
Documentation

• Include One-Call Locate Number on Job Prints,
  Paperwork and Job Log
• Re-Call One-Call System if Required by State
  Law and Document on Prints, Paperwork and Log
• Take Pictures of Work Area Before Excavation
  Activity Begins
• Call One-Call System if Unmarked or Mismarked
  Utilities are Found

22
Oh Crap! We Hit a Cable!

• Call One-Call System to Report Hit
• Take Pictures (Damaged Utility, Adjacent Ground
  Surface, Nearest Marks, Location Identification)
• Secure Area if Danger Exists to Public or Workers
• Statement (Signed if Possible) From
  Locator/Utility Owner Representative
• Utility Damage Report with Diagram of Work Area
  and Damaged Utility

23
RESOURCES
www.onecalls.org
www.commongroundalliance.com
www.call811.com
www.undergroundfocus.com
www.excavationsafetyguide.com
24
? Questions ?
H E I N L E I N
25
(No Transcript)