Transcript DAMAGE PREVENTION - PSEG We make things work for you

DAMAGE PREVENTION
Stopping underground
facility damages before
an incident or explosion.
Responding to underground utility
damages
Establish Standard Operating
Procedures (“SOPs”) for damage
prevention.
Objective:
• Prevent excavators who do not have a mark-out
request from excavating until the underground
facilities are marked.
• Respond to underground utility facility damages
Verify the mark-out request
• The underground facilities should be marked in
the area where the excavating is occurring with the
appropriate paint, flags and or stakes according to
the law (Underground facility Protection Act).
Red
Yellow
Orange
Blue
Green
White
Verify valid mark-out request
• When excavation activity is observed:
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Large construction equipment
Post hole diggers
Hand excavation including planting trees / shrubs
Or any other type of excavation
• Observe if paint or colored flags are marking the
underground facilities in the area of excavation
– If not, inquire with the excavator if they have a valid
mark-out request and what their request number is.
– The request number is 9-digits long with the first two
numbers representing the year (example: 050321010)
– If there are no marks & the excavator does not have a
mark-out request, have the excavator stop excavating.
No valid request
• Have the excavator stop excavating
immediately.
• Notify the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities OneCall
Enforcement group, OSHA, or your local utility.
– BPU contact number 973.667.3204
– OSHA
• Essex, Hudson, Morris, Sussex (973) 263-1003
• Bergen, Passaic (201) 288-1700
• Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union, Warren
(732) 750-3270
• Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland,
Gloucester, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem
(856) 757-5181
Failing to have a mark-out request
• Can result in death, injuries, and / or property damage. The picture
below was the result of an excavator failing to request that
underground facilities be marked. Three people were killed.
Failing to have a mark-out for the work area
• You may find an excavator working beyond the
area they requested to be marked. This can also
result in death, injuries & property damage.
You can prevent underground
facility damages
• Your action to stop illegal excavations that
endanger public safety can prevent serious
incidents from occurring.
Protect the Public
• Establish damage prevention SOPs for police,
building & parking inspectors, fire department
• For additional information call NJ Board of Public
Utilities One-Call Enforcement Group.
• For the law or a copy of the Underground Facility
Protection Act
– NJSA 48:2-73 through NJSA 48:2-91
– NJAC14:2-1.1 through NJAC 14:2-6.4
– OSHA Federal Regulation 1926.651
(go to:
“http://www.state.nj.us/bpu/wwwroot/serviceeval/hand
book.pdf” )
If gas facilities are damaged:
• Contact the gas company immediately
• Secure the area – evacuate as needed
• Check near-by buildings & be alert to multiple
gas leaks. multiple gas leaks:
– (possibly where the gas facilities were struck
& / or pulled and broken inside near-by buildings)
• Eliminate sources of ignition
– (shut off equipment-if it can be done safely, divert
traffic, no flares,no smoking)
• Stay upwind of leaking gas & away from
manholes, underground vaults, & sewer grates
If gas facilities are damaged:
• Remember the properties of natural gas:
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Lighter than air & will rise
Natural gas is colorless, odorless, & flammable
Flammable range of natural gas is 5-15 % in air
An odorant is added to natural gas
• Do not try to extinguish a natural gas fire unless it is an
immediate hazard to life & remember that the gas may
re-ignite or explode
• Evacuate the area as required
• Always investigate for multiple leaks even if the gas is
burning.
• Coordinate with the gas company especially when
venting.
• Report all damage to gas facilities including damage to
pipe coatings to the gas company.
If electric facilities are damaged:
• Contact the electric company immediately
• Secure the area
• Be alert to energized wires, construction equipment, &
other metal objects :
– (the ground near the damage may also become energized)
• Stay away from manholes & underground vaults.
– Damaged underground transformers contain oil that can
result in a BLEVE.
• Do Not enter manholes or underground vaults
• Coordinate with the electric company
If electric facilities are damaged:
• There are two general types of underground
electrical systems:
– Direct burial underground distribution (BUD)
• Transformers are above ground & electric cable is
installed directly in the ground
– Network & radial underground distribution
• Transformers are underground in vaults & electric cables
are in conduit.
• Report all damage to electric facilities including
damage to cable coatings to the electric
company.
Conclusion
• Establish SOPs for damage prevention and
responding to damaged utility facilities
• Coordinate with utility companies
• Ensure police on traffic control at
construction sites know the SOPs
• Conduct periodic training and refresher
training.
• Actively enforce damage prevention