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DAMAGE
PREVENTION
TRAINING

A Brief History of Utility Damage Prevention Education

Over the years, the importance of understanding and preventing damages to buried utility infrastructure has become increasingly evident. The evolution of locate education reflects this growing awareness, with efforts focused on equipping individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct safe excavation practices.

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Early initiatives primarily centered around promoting awareness of the risks associated with excavation and the importance of obtaining locates before digging. As technology advanced, so did the methods of education, with online training programs and virtual learning sessions emerging as effective means of delivering information to a wider audience.

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Today, utility locate education encompasses a comprehensive understanding of legislation, standards, guidelines, and best practices, as well as practical training on identifying utility structures, conducting public and private locates, and managing locate limitations. With continuous advancements in the field, the goal remains constant: to empower individuals and organizations to prevent utility damages and ensure the safety of underground infrastructure and personal safety.

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Our Damage Prevention Experts have extensive experience in the industry over the past 35 years, ranging from minor damages to incidents costing millions of dollars. We believe in sharing our expertise to help our clients avoid common pitfalls and costly mistakes. Ground disturbance should not be learned through trial and error and your objective should be zero damages. Proper training is essential before embarking on any excavation project and we have the expertise to help.

KNOW BEFORE YOU DIG!

WE WANT OUR CLIENTS TO KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT LOCATING BURIED FACILTIES AND DAMAGE PREVENTION AS WE DO!

In partnership with Own Your Safety, we are pleased to offer our clients access to their comprehensive online training program, Utility Infrastructure Awareness training, at no cost. This program is designed to provide participants with a thorough understanding of utility infrastructure awareness, empowering them to make informed decisions and mitigate risks during excavation projects. Topics covered include legislation, standards, guidelines, best practices, identifying utility structures, public and private locates, and respecting marking protocols.

 

Additionally, we strongly recommend that our clients take the Damage Prevention Council of Texas' Living and Working Around Underground Pipelines in Texas training course. This free course provides valuable insights specific to Texas, further enhancing participants' knowledge and preparedness when working around buried pipelines.

 

By taking advantage of these training opportunities, our clients can ensure they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct safe excavation practices and minimize the risk of damages to buried facilities. Together, we can work towards a safer working environment and the protection of underground infrastructure.

Utility Infrastructure Awareness Logo

Topics Covered in Utility Infrastructure Awareness Online Training:

 

  • KNOW Before You Dig! - Consequences, Risks, Definitive Roles, Communication; Legislation, Standards, Guidelines, and Best Practices

  • Identifying Utility Structures (Appurtenances)

  • Public Locates

  • Private Locates

  • Locating and Marking (Locate Technologies, How to Respect the Marks)

 

TAILORED LEARNING SESSIONS

If there is a topic you want addressed regarding Damage Prevention to buried facilities, or prefer in-class training, we've got you covered. Our virtual office learning sessions via MS Teams can be designed to meet your specific needs and concerns. These sessions can be as short as an hour, and we are happy to extend them if participants are willing.

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We are happy to schedule these damage prevention learning session at your availability as we recognize he challenge of coordinating staff availability across different offices. We extend the invitation to our clients involved in ground disturbance work to join us and benefit from these tailored learning opportunities.

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Whether you want to delve into specific topics, review past incidents, enhance your team's understanding of utility locating, or have questions from any of the online training the we provide or you have taken, our sessions are here to support your company's goals and promote a culture of safety and awareness when breaking ground.

Some of the Topics covered in our learning sessions include:

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  • Private Locate Hidden Dangers

  • Geophysics Applications for GPR, EM61, and EM31

  • Sewer Locate Challenges and Solutions

  • Managing Public and Private Locate Limitations

  • Safely Digging Near Unlocatable Facilities

  • Interior Locates Versus Exterior Locates

  • Working within Easements

  • Rules for Excavating Near Buried Utility Infrastructure

  • How to Perform a Damage Investigation

  • Lessons Learned from Real Incidents

  • Who is Responsible for a Damaged Facility

  • Underground Storage Tanks Locate Limitations, and

  • Any topic covered in Utility Infrastructure Awareness outlined above.

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