Locating equipment manufacturers have spent many years working on the production of locating sets that are simple for the novice user. This has led many people to think that anyone can pick up a locator and use it successfully, as long as they know “which setting” to select. Salespeople have even produced pocket guides that suggest particular frequencies for particular applications.

Realistically, simply knowing the basic controls doesn’t’ prepare the operator for the nearly infinite variables that will be encountered out in the field. Competency in locating doesn’t come from just a few simple rules, but rather from understanding the capabilities and limitations of the instrument in the context of on-site variables. Like many professions, becoming a skilled locator takes time and effort. It is a delicate combination of knowledge and experience.

Among the factors that can influence a locating job are the presence of metallic conductors other than those being located, the composition, diameter and depth of the facility being located, the nature of the soil, cement or asphalt, and the presence, type and location of the physical access points. A skilled locating technician will take all of these factors into account on an intuative level.

To the average outside observer it just looks like the locating technician is simply getting out the the truck, taking a moment to set up some equipment, and then painting the location of the targeted utility line. But there are a number of small, yet important decisions that are being made silently on each job site. Explaining all fo them to someone who is not experienced can be difficult.

Another important factor to understand is that the equipment commonly used to locate underground utilities doesn’t actually locate the buried pipes, cables or wires, but rather a moving magnetic field called signal that is in place around them either as a result of action taken by the technician or of certain other “natural” factors. A lot of things can impact the magnetic field and cause the locate to be inaccurate at the surface. The deeper the facility is, the more opportunity there is for horizontal error.

Locating is actually a pretty mysterious profession. A locating technician is under the constant pressure of time and the watchful eye of a hundred bosses a week, yet he manages quite a number of variables to mark buried facilities he will never see. It’s really not as easy as it looks, nor is locating considered an exact science, but a skilled locator with the proper training and experience will be right the vast majority of the time.

Great communication starts with the excavator, or whoever will be doing the actual planning and penetration of the ground surface. This person always needs to give precise information to the private locator. In this case, ‘Precise’ means the most current information to be had about the job site. What kind of site is it and where is it located? Is it in a rural or densly populated urban area? Has the ownership or type of business changed? Does the address even exist anymore?

In most cases, it is not the first time the excavator has hired a locator or the first time a locator has located for the excavator. As time goes on, both will be working indirectly with each other on many different projects. Neither party wants to get hurt or cause any utility damage so it is in the best interest of both to develop a fair, consistent and productive working relationship. Common sense dictates that the more communication exists, the better the damage prevention.

On large jobs, an excavator can request a meeting prior to the utilities being located. The meeting can be done by phone or on-site depending on how complicated the job is, the amount of preparation and pre-work compliance issues (such site access agreements and site security), site layout and other contributing factors. Sometimes is it a great idea to have the locator visit and do a site walk so that he can get a more accurate idea of what equipment he may need to use or how long the job might take. This helps avoid any confusion before the work is performed. If the work is to be ongoing, this method also helps all entities communicate better in the field.

Below are some tips to keep communication lines open between the excavator and the locator:

1. If it is a public location, call digalert and give a precise location, with any “white line” (including company initials or ticket number).

2. Have someone availabe to answer any questions a locator may have.

3. Have a site map or as-builds on hand or make available to the locator to study before performing the work.

4. Create an open working relationship between excavator and locator.

5. Exchange business cards with contact information upon meeting on-site for any future questions that may arise on the current project, other projects or future projects.

When working together with an excavator, the locator should:

1. Not try to over interpret a confusing scope of work.

2. Create an open working relationship with the excavators.

3. When hired by a company to do locating, look for their company logo marked vehicle once arriving on-site. Introduce yourself, inform them on what facilities you are locating and in what area of the site, and provide them with your phone number if they do not have any questions at that time.

4. An interesting, and sometimes profitable trick in terms of marketing yourself, is to offer the contractor something. Business cards can be easily misplaced, so carrying a few marking items around in the work van is a good idea. Offer the client a company pen to sign the field invoice or give them a hat with your company name and logo on it. Who can’t use a nice hat in the field? Even offer them a can of white paint, as that is something many contractors can use.

The more that an excavator and locator interact, the better they understand they have together. Ultimately, that understanding and communication leads to better overall damage prevention. It’s good for the business relationship and the overall community!

The decisions of the EOR begin with the project design and can have the most impact on utility damage prevention in many cases. There is a growing number of valid case studies proving that projects designed with “Quality Level A” utility location data (the output of the efforts of Subsurface Utility Engineering or SUE) have much less damage than projects designed with “Quality Level D” data that uses only highly inaccurate as-built records of utilities.

The usual phases of a project that involves elements of work related to design, including permitting and standard utility efforts, take up about 70% of the timeline, while 30% goes for project bid and construction activities. A huge majority of the efforts to prevent damage focus on the part of the project timeline that has to do with construction-related activities. The responsibility for damage prevention doesn’t really seem to begin until a project is actually being bid. Bidding contractors are required to include all costs in their bid that are associated with protecting buried utilities during construction. The contractor is held completely responsible for the damage prevention effort, but does not have the advantage of being able to verify the location of buried facilities, as required by most bid documents.

The “verification” technically amounts to a “contract requirement” to recover “Quality Level A” utility location data before bidding. If a bidding contractor attempted to recover such data it would take many weeks to accomplish, much longer than the bidding window would allow. It just couldn’t be reasonably done due to the many thousands of dollars in cost, not to mention the fact that there might be 10 to 20 bidding contractors that face the same issue.

If the bid requirement for the contractor to verify the location of buried utilities and other facilities before bidding was not important for damage prevention, the EOR would not have the clause in place. Nobody can dispute the importance and value of confirming utility locations before bidding. The inclusion of “contract requirements” is what really needs to be addressed. These requirements are functionally impossible for contractors to meet and all stakeholders know they are not being done. They only shift the burden of responsibility for verifying the location of buried utilities form the EOR to the contractor. If the contractor does not actually get the information, the burden for not doing so is all theirs.

What may make better sense would be for the EOR to provide this verification for the benefit of all bidding contractors prior to bid. The EOR has the opportunity to pick the point in the project timeline where the site investigation can be done. The cost of providing SUE work immediately before bidding a project for construction can be easily proven to benefit all bidding contractors, and will be offset by reductions in bid cost by solving other construction issues, therefore reducing the project cost as a whole. At minimal cost, the EOR could establish line item provisions for SUE work during construction to verify the accuracy of locate marks ahead of construction, which will further the damage prevention effort of excavators. The excavator will always be responsible for using “sufficient work practices” within tolerance zones and the SUE work will elimintate damage to facilities that result from inaccurate locates.

If the EOR recommends that SUE work be done very early in the design process, they can even use case studies that illustrate how the Return on Investment (ROI) ranges between $4 and $22 for every dollar spent on SUE work, depending on the study and types of work being done. It is never too late for a project EOR to incorporate SUE work for damage prevention before construction begins and to be able to successfully prove that the value of the effort will be offset by any associated cost.

All stakeholders must support the efforts of EORs in the justification to their project owners for the value of design with the highest quiality utility location data, rather than the lowest. It is hopeful that cost barriers can be overcome when such data recovery efforts become a moral, legal or ethical responsibility in project design.

The professional engineer can definitely have the most important role in damage prevention of any stakeholder if they are supported by all stakeholders. The damage prevention industry as a whole needs to work with the engineering community to help make the case for project design using high-quality utility location data for the sake of protecting underground facilities and lives.

We are now entitled to compete in the State’s goal to spend 25 percent of its annual contracting money with small businesses. Certified Small Businesses receieve a five percent bid preference on all applicable solicitations. This certification will also help us get paid on the government jobs that we procure over time. It guarantees higher interest penalties for late payment on undisputed invoices.

Another benefit of certification is reputation. It proves to our customers that we are serious about doing business in the State of California. The future is looking great for PCL!

A shot of the floor at the CGA convention and expo. Can you spot our booth?

The many exhibits and demonstrations on products and services in the industry kept us busy throughout the show. We learned about advances in the equipment we already use, and about new equipment that we can integrate into our services.

We would like to thank those who helped us get there, as well as all the knowledgeable people that we met while exhibiting. We look forward to working with our new colleagues in the locating, oil & gas, electrical and pipeline industries; and as always, keeping our workers safe while preventing damage to buried infrastructures up and down the California coast!

We also have a Facebook page. Check out our like button on the home page and like us!

Damage Prevention education and training is an ongoing practice. Becoming a member of the CGA was integral part of doing business in our industry. It gives us the opportunity to learn from the experts and get more information on industry trends and technologies. We look forward to the plentiful workshops, exhibits and demonstrations as well as networking opportunities.

Excavation safety and the protection of our buried infrastructures is a shared responsibility. Getting together with our fellow stakeholders to share ideas and learn from each other is an excellent way to help ensure our success into the future. So come join us, you might just learn something new!

As has been mentioned in previous posts on the subject, PG&E broke numerous state and federal safety laws leading up to the San Bruno gas-pipeline disaster. The biggest oversight was their failure to inspect the line for flaws after twice spiking the pipe’s gas level beyond the legal limit, state regulators have said.

Had PG&E conducted an inspection using high-pressure water, as called for by federal law, it would have definitely discovered that the pipeline running under San Bruno was defective, the California Public Utilities Commission said. That little discovery would have averted the distaster.

The five commission members voted unanimously at their meeting in San Francisco to adopt the findings of the 171-page staff report, which is only the first step in a process that could result in PG&E being fined hundreds of millions of dollars for safety violations. The commission issued its findings less than six months after the National Transportation Safety Board took on the task for its lax oversight of PG&E’s gas operations before the explosion of the 30-inch gas-transmission line.

In finding PG&E to blame for the blast, the federal board also found that the company had a dysfunctional safety culture that had led it to ignore problems on the San Bruno line and elsewhere in its gas system. Its inspection program was inadequate, its record keeping was shoddy and its emergency response the night of the explosion was slow and disorganized, federal investigators said.

The PUC report echoed many of those findings in identifying a series of laws it said PG&E had broken. It said that the ultimate cause was a failure by PG&E’s management “to foster a culture that valued safety over profits.”

Further findings by the commission showed that PG&E had violated industry standards all the way back to when it installed the San Bruno pipe in short sections in 1956. The metal was weaker than it should have been, and the pipe was held together with incomplete welds. The company’s pipeline integrity management program, record keeping and emergency response all violated the law.

State regulators went beyond the federal safety board, however, in pointing a finger at PG&E’s intentional spiking of gas levels on the pipeline, a practice The Chronicle revealed last year. In a series of stories, The Chronicle revealed that PG&E boosted the pressure on the San Bruno line not once, but TWICE – in 2003 and in 2008. The company now acknowledges that this was a misguided effort to preserve gas capacity under pipeline safety rules. It soon stopped the practice and has now abandoned it. State engineers have also concluded that the company broke federal pipeline safety laws when it first boosted the pressure in December 2003 to just above the maximum allowed pressure of 400 pounds per square inch.

Regulators determined that the first spiking was actually an effort to get around the federal rules aimed at capping pressure on an urban pipeline at the highest point at which it had operated over a five-year period.
At the time of the first spiking, PG&E knew the San Bruno pipe qualified as an urban line, even though it waited until the next year to formally recognize it as such. The state commission said PG&E should have known better than to spike first and declare the line to be in an urban area later.

Under federal law, just the fact that PG&E spiked the line slightly above the legal maximum should have triggered an inspection for any damage caused by the spike itself. This test would have exposed the faulty weld that ruptured. The report also said PG&E had violated a state order when it recorded over a video taken in its Brentwood gas center control room the night of the disaster.

“PG&E explained that the videotape was retained on a digital video recorder that was part of the closed-circuit electronic security system and was overwritten after approximately 60 days when it became full,” the report said. The utilities commission had ordered PG&E to preserve all evidence related to the San Bruno explosion.

“By erasing a digital video recording made during the incident at its Brentwood control room, PG&E destroyed potentially relevant information,” the report concluded.

In a statement, PG&E President Chris Johns said the utility took the findings “very seriously, and we will cooperate fully with the investigation.”

“It is clear that PG&E’s past gas operations practices were not what they should have been,” Johns said. “We have admitted these shortcomings, and we are committed to raising the level of pipeline safety to new, higher standards.”

He outlined several “fundamental changes” the company made after the disaster to make sure its “operations are as safe as possible,” including pressure testing, installation of automatic shutoff valves, pressure reductions on some pipelines and improved emergency response plans.

“We recognize that there is much more work ahead to be the company our customers expect us to be,” Johns said.

Mike Florio, the utilities commission member who oversees gas safety rule-making proceedings, welcomed the report as a critical step in assuring safety.

“This is the end of the beginning,” he said.

The penalties against PG&E could be enormous. They are likely to far exceed the $38 million the company was fined for a 2008 gas explosion in Rancho Cordova (Sacramento County), the biggest gas-related penalty the state has levied against the company.

“When you have violations covering years and years, and the penalty is per day, you could name any number,” Florio said. “But the idea of all of this is to determine a just and reasonable fine.

“The most important thing of all,” Florio said, “is to change the way this company operates.”

So there we have it. In the end it all came down to corporate greed and safety violations.

10. The Utility
Gaining access to underground utilities sometimes requires entering a confined space. There have been too many instances in the past where a utility worker enters a manhole without testing and preparing the space. If the first worker is overcome by gases and a second working tries to help, he will most likely also be overcome. Neither will be likely to survive. Better equipment and training have made these types of tragedies very rare. The rule is to never enter a confined space without following required procedures. And of course, pass it on. If you see someone else trying to enter a space without testing and preparation, stop them and wait unitl the right equipment is available. You might save a life.

9. Eye Injury
There are many potential eye hazards on the average construction site. Blowing dust and debris can cause severe eye irritation, while tree branches at eye level or bushes and plants that hide utility cabinets can also present a significate risk to the eye. Even the marking paint that locators use can become a painful hazard when accidentally sprayed in the face. Since the locator’s attention is usually focused on the equipment and putting paint ont the ground, attention may be away from otherwise obvious obstacles. Safety glasses are a must and should always be worn while locating.

8. Climate
Heat or cold extremes can be very hazardous to locators. Summer heat can be very hard on an unprepared body. The unsuspecting locator can be easily overwhelmed by heat rash, extreme sunburn and heat stroke. There are a few things that can be done to prevent problems with heat in the summer and even make locating during the summer months enjoyable. Always dress right for the season. Wear light, reflective clothing and a wide brimmed hat. Be sure to apply a high SPF sunscreen several times a day. Do not forget the importance of staying hydrated; drink water continuously throughout the day, even when you are not thirsty. Also, minimize the soft drinks. Always take breaks when you need them and don’t wait until you’re overheated.

Cold weather also presents problems, so similiar methods should be employed to avoid frost bite or hypothermia. It’s a good idea to dress in layers. Wear a good hat to and gloves if needed. Breaks are also important in the cold, be sure to take them before you get too cold. Having spare clothing available in case you get wet is another measure. Dry socks and gloves can make a big difference in comfort.

7. Dog Bites
Sometimes a locator will have to deal with dogs on private property. There really isn’t a way to tell which dogs will bite. Many dog bites have occured right after the homeowner informs the locator that the dog is not mean and would never bite. There are some ways to protect yourself in the even of a dog encounter. Always make plenty of noise when entering a fenced yard, including whistling before opening the gate. Look for signs such as a dog house, food and water bowls, toys or worn paths in the yard. When confronted by a dog, it’s recommended that you face the animal without making eye contact. Keep anything you can between you and the dog, such as a paint stick or receiver and slowly make your way to the gate. In the worst case you can use the paint or pepper spray to subdue the dog. But remember, avoidance is the best policy. If there is any doubt, contact your supervisor or the contractor to make arrangements to safely deal with situation.

6. Puncture Wounds/Foot Trauma
Construction sites are full of potential hazards to the feet. These include nails sticking out of scrap wood, sharp metal scrap, sharp rocks in tall grass and other sharp objects that can easily puncture soft sole shoes. There is also the risk of injury from heavy structures like dropped hand hole or manhole covers. This is why tennis shoes should never be worn while locating. Thick soled work boots with steel toes are ideal. In the past several years, technology has improved work boots, maing them much more comfortable to wear. They can usually be purchased at a fairly reasonable price.

5. Poisonous and Stinging Plants
Just about every area of the country has some sort of poisonous or stinging plant around. Poison oak and poison ivy or the most common culprits in many areas. Whatever the plant, there are some steps that you should take to avoid them. First and foremost, learn to recognize the common characteristics of these plants. Next, wear clothes that cover the skin such as long sleeved shirts and pants. Finally, thoroughly wash the clothes as soon as possible after coming in contact with these plants.

4. Insect Bites and Stings
Utility cabinets and vaults are great places for insect homes. Bees, wasps, fire ants and spiders love these environments. Before opening a utility cabinet, tap the outside with a pedestal wrench. This may let you know whether a nest is inside. If a nest is present, another access point may need to be used. If you are allergic to stings, let coworkers and your supervisor know so that they may educate themselves on how to handle a sting. If bitten or stung by an uknown insect, tell the supervisor immediately and monitor the situation carefully. Get medical attention if necessary.
Two other common insects that cause problems in the field are mosquitoes and ticks. In both cases, an insect repellant should be used on a regular basis. Both of these insects can carry harmful disease. Know the symptoms and seek immediate medical attention. Be sure to check for ticks regularly throughout the day.

3. Muscle Strains
Some of the main causes of work site injuries are lifting, bending and squatting. During the course of a work day, the average locating technician will perform these tasks over and over again. To help prevent muscle strains, regular stretches should be performed throughout the day. Improper lifting techniques can cause severe back injuries. Always use proper technique when lifting; keep the back straight and lift with your knees bent. Never use the back! Also, good health practices such as regular exercise and proper diet and eating habits can lead to good general health and help prevent this type of injury.

2. Slips, Trips and Falls
The most common injury for locators are probably related to slips, trips and falls. Unleveled ground, rocks, holes, weeds and other obstacles are potential hazards. Locators are usually so focused on their receivers that they often don’t see these hazards in plain sight. Locators need to constantly scan the area for these hazards and adjust their pace to meet the conditions they are in. Any incident, no matter how small, should be reported to a suporvisor. Something that seems minor at the time of the incident can escalate into a serious problem in just a few hours.

1. Automobile Related Incidents
This risk can be divided into two categories; the locator as a driver and the locator as a pedestrian. Driving is a big part of the locating job, and much of the typical day is usually spent driving to the job site. Just inside the cab of a truck, there are many potential distractions. Computers, GPS systems and cell phones can all distract the driver. The route should be carefully planned before starting. Once on the road, do not answer calls or texts. If a call must be taken, the locator should pull over in a safe place before answering.

The locator as a pedestrian is always in a potenially hazardous situation when locating in and around streets. You should always assume that the people in vehicles are not watching them and take great care when working in the road. When on a construction site, always be aware of the movement of heavy equipment. One of the most common causes of construction fatalities is back-overs by equipment. Always make sure that the operator sees you and take care to avoid the path of the equipment.

All it takes is good training and situational awareness to avoid many of these hazards. There are plenty of safety precautions and procedures that should be followed every day on every job, no matter what. This list does not include every possible hazard that a locator may encounter, but these seem to be the most common. If you feel you need training, let your supervisor know. The regular necessary training should be provided, but hazard avoidance is ultimately the responsibility of the locator.