If an underground utility is damaged,
you must notify the utility operator im-
mediately. They are in the best position
to determine the hazards associated with
the damage and take appropriate coun-
termeasures. If the damage results in the
release of hazardous gases or liquids,
both the utility operator and the appro-
priate emergency response officials
should be notified immediately.
References
Common Ground Alliance (CGA).
2014. Damage Information Reporting
Tool Report.
Common Ground Alliance (CGA).
2015. Best Practices 12.0.
OSHA. Excavations, Subpart P. Specific
Excavation Requirements, 29 CFR
1926.651.
Pipeline Association for Public Aware-
ness (PAPA). 2010. Excavation
Safety Guide.
Underground Focus Magazine. 2012. Best Practices for
Damage Prevention. Retrieved from www.underspace.com/
best-practices-for-damage-prevention.
Utility Locating HQ. 2016. Utility Locating Techniques.
Retrieved from www.utilitylocatinghq.com/utility-locating-
techniques.
WWJ
Jerome E. Spear, CSP, CIH, is president of J.E. Spear Consulting and has
more than 22 years of experience helping organizations prevent injuries
and illnesses, control losses, and achieve regulatory compliance. He held
the positions of technical services manager with XL Specialty Risk Con-
sulting and corporate industrial hygiene manager for Chicago Bridge
and Iron Co., a worldwide steel fabricator and construction company.
WWJ May 2016 51
Twitter @WaterWellJournl
