Protecting Underground Utilities and Communities

Avoiding damage to underground utilities is critical to ensuring public safety, reducing costly delays, and keeping projects on track. UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention System (DPS) offers a comprehensive solution to ensure that utility locates are complete, obstructions are identified, and crews are well-prepared before any construction begins. By leveraging advanced mapping technologies and stringent safety protocols, UtiliSource’s DPS mitigates the risk of striking underground utilities, ultimately protecting communities and maximizing project efficiency.

How UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention System (DPS) Works

UtiliSource’s DPS is designed to provide a thorough, pre-construction process that reduces the chances of damaging underground utilities. The DPS workflow includes the following key steps:

1. Pre-Construction Utility Mapping: Before any excavation begins, UtiliSource dispatches a Damage Prevention Technician to thoroughly assess the site. This includes ensuring that all utility locates have been completed and documented. Additionally, the technician identifies potential or hidden bore path obstructions, such as sewer cleanouts, manhole lids, and valves. These findings are then compiled into a Geographic Information System (GIS) map, which offers a comprehensive, real-time view of the job site.
2. Monitoring and Accountability: The DPS also focuses on accountability by ensuring that locate technicians are held responsible for the accuracy of their work. With every mark being monitored and mapped, technicians are motivated to deliver precise locates that minimize the risk of damaging underground utilities.
3. Best Practices for Safe Digging: In addition to mapping and monitoring, UtiliSource’s DPS reviews the planning of potholes, city ordinances, safe digging practices, and relevant regulations. By aligning the crew’s activities with these guidelines, the system ensures that all operations are compliant and safe.

How DPS Protects Your Community

The DPS system offers significant advantages when it comes to protecting communities and reducing disruptions caused by utility projects. Here’s how UtiliSource’s DPS ensures the safety and efficiency of these projects:

1. Reduced Construction Time: Congested traffic and disruptions in residential areas can be minimized through DPS’s streamlined approach. By ensuring that all underground utilities are accurately mapped and identified before the start of construction, UtiliSource shortens project timelines, reducing the impact on local traffic and minimizing disruption to daily life.
2. Eliminating Utility Strikes: Utility strikes can be dangerous, costly, and disruptive to essential services like gas, electricity, and water. UtiliSource’s DPS significantly reduces the risk of these incidents by ensuring that all underground utilities are properly located and marked, allowing for safe excavation practices.
3. Compliance and Documentation: Every step in the DPS process is meticulously documented to demonstrate compliance with local ordinances and regulations. This not only ensures transparency but also helps demonstrate to regulatory bodies that the project is being handled safely and efficiently.

Combating Industry Workforce Challenges

The utility industry is facing increasing pressure due to workforce shortages and productivity challenges. UtiliSource’s DPS helps alleviate these issues by boosting productivity and reducing the need for large teams:

1. Increased Productivity: With UtiliSource’s DPS, crews are able to work more efficiently, increasing productivity by over 20%. By ensuring that all underground utilities are properly located before excavation, teams can focus on completing their work with fewer disruptions.
2. Fewer Crews Required: Thanks to the DPS system’s precise mapping and planning, projects can be completed with fewer crews. This reduces overhead costs and allows for a leaner, more focused team to handle the job.
3. Less Downtime: Downtime caused by utility strikes or incomplete locates can lead to significant project delays. By reducing the likelihood of damaging underground utilities, UtiliSource’s DPS helps avoid costly delays and keeps the project moving forward.

DPS Workflow and 811 Process Integration

UtiliSource’s DPS works hand-in-hand with the 811 process to ensure that every aspect of the job site is prepared for safe excavation. The process begins 4-5 days before construction starts and involves the following steps:

• Project Kick-Off Safety Meeting: This ensures that all stakeholders are informed about the job site’s potential risks and the best practices for safe digging.
• Potholing and Auditing: The DPS process includes thorough potholing and auditing to ensure all utilities are accounted for, reducing the chance of surprises during excavation.
• Independent 3rd Party Safety Monitors: Additional safety measures include third-party monitors who ensure that all safety protocols are being followed correctly.
• Facilities Mapping and Incident Investigation: Utilizing GIS mapping, UtiliSource tracks and maps all underground utilities on-site. In the rare event of an incident, UtiliSource conducts a full investigation to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.

Results-Driven Prevention: Mitigating Mistakes and Reducing Damage

UtiliSource’s DPS has demonstrated impressive results in reducing utility damage. By adopting advanced mapping and monitoring techniques, UtiliSource has achieved a 90% reduction in at-fault damages and a 60% reduction in overall damages. These results reflect the effectiveness of careful planning, accurate mapping, and comprehensive safety measures in preventing damage to underground utilities.

Conclusion

UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention System is a vital tool for ensuring the safety and efficiency of utility projects. Through comprehensive utility mapping, real-time monitoring, and adherence to best practices, UtiliSource significantly reduces the risks associated with damaging underground utilities. From shortening project timelines to protecting communities and maximizing workforce productivity, UtiliSource’s DPS provides a reliable, efficient, and safe approach to damage prevention in the utility industry.