# NTSB Safety Recommendation P-97-014 **Citation:** P-97-014 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** National Transportation Safety Board **Effective:** 1998-01-06 **Published:** 1998-01-06 THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RSPA: CONDUCT AT REGULAR INTERVALS JOINT GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY WORKSHOPS ON EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION THAT HIGHLIGHT SPECIFIC SAFETY ISSUES, SUCH AS FULL PARTICIPATION, ENFORCEMENT, GOOD MARKING PRACTICES, THE IMPORTANCE OF MAPPING, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING. ## Document text NTSB safety recommendation P-97-014. THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RSPA: CONDUCT AT REGULAR INTERVALS JOINT GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY WORKSHOPS ON EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION THAT HIGHLIGHT SPECIFIC SAFETY ISSUES, SUCH AS FULL PARTICIPATION, ENFORCEMENT, GOOD MARKING PRACTICES, THE IMPORTANCE OF MAPPING, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING. Priority: CLASS II Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action Issued Date: 1998-01-06 Adopted Date: 1997-12-23 Overall Date Closed: 2001-04-18 Synopsis: THE SAFETY BOARD HAS LONG BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF EXCAVATION-CAUSED PIPELINE ACIDENTS. IN RESPONSE TO SIX SERIOUS PIPELINE ACCIDENTS DURING 1993 AND 1994 THAT WERE CAUSED BY EXCAVATION DAMAGE AND TO FOSTER IMPROVEMENTS IN STATE EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, THE SAFETY BOARD AND THE RSPA JOINTLY SPONSORED A WORKSHOP IN SEPTEMBER 1994. THIS WORKSHOP BROUGHT TOGETHER ABOUT 400 REPRESENTATIVES FROM PIPELINE OPERATORS, EXCAVATORS, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, AND LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND WAYS TO IMPROVE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. THE SAFETY BOARD RECENTLY COMPLETED A SAFETY STUDY THAT ANALYZED THE FINDINGS OF THE 1994 WORKSHOP, DISCUSSED INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN SINCE THE WORKSHOP, AND FORMALIZED RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT FURTHER ADVANCING IMPROVEMENTS IN EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. Ntsbnumber: 80433 Report Number: SS-97-01 Addressee Name: RSPA Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action Addressee Date Closed: 2001-04-18 Addressee Acronym: RSPA Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government Communication Date: 2001-04-18 Communication Type: Official Correspondence Communication Contents: THE SAFETY BOARD APPRECIATES THE UPDATE ON ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT P-97-14 THROUGH -24 AND P-99-1. THE SAFETY BOARD NOTES THAT ON 6/30/99, RSPA CO-SPONSORED A PUBLIC MEETING IN WASHINGTON, DC, TO PRESENT A REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES FOR DAMAGE PREVENTION. THE SAFETY BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT THE DIG SAFELY CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY THE DOT, THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, ONE CALL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, THE ASSOCIATION OF OIL PIPELINES, AND THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAMAGE PREVENTION COUNCIL, AND THAT THE NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD OF CANADA IS CONSIDERING RECOMMENDING TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT THAT THEY ADOPT THE CAMPAIGN. THE SAFETY BOARD IS ENCOURAGED BY RSPA'S EFFORTS, AS OUTLINED ABOVE, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE FURTHER PERIODIC UPDATES, INCLUDING A DISCUSSION OF ACTIVITIES THAT RELATE SPECIFICALLY TO THE ACTIONS CALLED FOR IN THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS. WITH RESPECT TO P-97-14, THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE INTENT OF THIS RECOMMENDATION HAS BEEN MET BASED ON THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND IN VIEW OF PREVIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. ACCORDINGLY, P-97-14 IS CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION." Addressee Acronym: RSPA Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government Communication Date: 1998-10-21 Communication Type: Official Correspondence Communication Contents: THE BOARD WOULD APPRECIATE BEING ADVISED OF ANY ACTIONS THAT RSPA HAS TAKEN OR PLANS TO TAKE ON EACH OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. COPIES OF OUR 1/6/98, AND OUR 4/30/98, CORRESPONDENCE ARE ENCLOSED. Addressee Acronym: RSPA Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government Communication Date: 1999-06-29 Communication Type: Official Correspondence Communication Contents: THE SAFETY BOARD IS PLEASED THAT RSPA IS IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDED ACTION. THE BOARD RECOGNIZES THE "BEST PRACTICES WORK" AND BELIEVES THAT INFORMATION COULD BE USED TO HELP IN EVALUATING STATE PROGRAMS. ACCORDINGLY, P-97-14 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "OPEN--ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE," PENDING A FURTHER REPLY FROM RSPA ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS RECOMMENDATION. Addressee Acronym: RSPA Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government Communication Date: 1998-10-30 Communication Type: Official Correspondence Communication Contents: RSPA'S DAMAGE PREVENTION ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE; 1) PASSAGE BY CONGRESS OF THE ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION PROVISIONS OF THE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY (TEA-2 1), WHICH WERE BASED ON DRAFT LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY DOT, THE PIPELINE INDUSTRY, AND OPERATORS OF OTHER UNDERGROUND FACILITIES; 2) IMPLEMENTATION OF A RULE REQUIRING OPERATORS OF ONSHORE GAS, HAZARDOUS LIQUID AND CARBON DIOXIDE PIPELINES TO PARTICIPATE IN QUALIFIED ONE-CALL SYSTEMS AS PART OF THE EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAMS REQUIRED BY THE PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATIONS; 3) FORMATION OF RSPA'S DAMAGE PREVENTION QUALITY ACTION TEAM (DAMQAT), WHICH INCLUDES GROUPS WITH A SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN DAMAGE PREVENTION, INCLUDING STATES, PROFESSIONAL EXCAVATORS, ONE-CALL CENTERS, INSURANCE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES; AND 4) LAUNCH OF THE PILOT DAMAGE PREVENTION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. DAMQAT CONDUCTED A NATIONWIDE, IN-DEPTH STUDY OF DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND EXCAVATION PRACTICES. THE STUDY DOCUMENTED THE DAMAGE PREVENTION PRACTICES THAT ARE GENERALLY OBSERVED AND THOSE WHICH NEED TO BE ADOPTED. THIS WAS THE FIRST IN-DEPTH NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF KEY GROUPS: PROFESSIONAL EXCAVATORS, STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES, FACILITY OPERATORS AND THE PUBLIC. DAMQAT HAS CONDUCTED A SURVEY TO EVALUATE THE LEVEL OF DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND DAMAGE PREVENTION PRACTICES. THE SURVEY DISCUSSED ABOVE PROVIDED BASELINE DATA ON DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND EXCAVATION PRACTICES FOR DESIGN OF MATERIALS FOR A ONE-CALL PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN THAT WILL ENABLE RSPA TO GAUGE THE SUCCESS OF THE PILOT EDUCATION PROGRAM. RSPA LAUNCHED ITS PILOT DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN THREE STATES TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM BEFORE NATIONWIDE IMPLEMENTATION. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE AIMED AT ENSURING THAT THE EXCAVATING COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL PARTICIPATION IN DAMAGE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, EFFECTIVE PIPELINE MARKING PRACTICES, THE IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE MAPPING AND LOCATION OF PIPELINES, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING TO AMELIORATE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DAMAGE TO PIPELINES. RSPA IS ALSO ESTABLISHING A NEW TEAM OF GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY, AND PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES TO COMPLETE A STUDY OF BEST PRACTICES IN DAMAGE PREVENTION AND TO PROMOTE INFORMATION SHARING AMONG ALL INTERESTS INVOLVED IN UNDERGROUND FACILITY DAMAGE PREVENTION. THE TEAM WILL EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS EXISTING ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS IN PROTECTING THE PUBLIC, INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IN PREVENTING DISRUPTIONS TO PUBLIC SERVICES AND DAMAGE TO UNDERGROUND FACILITIES. RSPA CONDUCTED A PUBLIC MEETING ON 8/25-26/98, TO SOLICIT VIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS STUDY OF ONE-CALL SYSTEM BEST PRACTICES. THE ATTENDEES REPRESENTED ALL PARTS OF THE DAMAGE PREVENTION COMMUNITY. THE ONE-CALL BEST PRACTICES STUDY TEAM IS NOW BEING ESTABLISHED AND WILL MEET OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE ONE-CALL BEST PRACTICES FROM THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA. RSPA IS MEETING THE INTENT OF P-97-14 THROUGH THE CURRENT PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES OF DAMQAT AND THE UPCOMING DAMAGE PREVENTION BEST PRACTICES STUDY TEAM, WHICH WILL CONDUCT REGULAR MEETINGS WITH GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY. THE FINDINGS OF BOTH DAMAGE PREVENTION TEAMS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. RSPA REQUESTS THAT P-97-14 BE CLASSIFIED AS "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION." Addressee Acronym: RSPA Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government Communication Date: 2000-04-24 Communication Type: Official Correspondence Communication Contents: ON 6/30/99, RSPA CO-SPONSORED A PUBLIC MEETING IN WASHINGTON, DC, TO PRESENT A REPORT ON DAMAGE PREVENTION BEST PRACTICES. THE REPORT WAS DEVELOPED BY OVER 160 VOLUNTEERS REPRESENTING A BROAD SPECTRUM OF DAMAGE PREVENTION STAKEHOLDERS WHO WORKED FOR ALMOST A YEAR TO PRODUCE A REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES IN DAMAGE PREVENTION, KNOWN AS THE COMMON GROUND STUDY. THIS REPORT COVERED VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF DAMAGE PREVENTION FROM DESIGN AND PLANNING, THROUGH LOCATING AND SAFE EXCAVATION PRACTICES. IT HAS BECOME THE MANUAL OF CHOICE FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN DAMAGE PREVENTION. WE ARE GRATIFIED THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO JOIN US TO PRESENT THIS REPORT TO TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY RODNEY SLATER. RSPA IS NOW FACILITATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO ADVANCE UNDERGROUND DAMAGE PREVENTION, CONSISTENT WITH THE COOPERATIVE SPIRIT OF THE COMMON GROUND TEAM. RSPA HELD A PUBLIC MEETING ON 10/28/99, IN BALTIMORE, MD, TO ELABORATE THE ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING POSSIBLE MISSION STATEMENTS, GOALS, FUNCTIONS, GUIDING PRINCIPLES, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. NTSB'S JACK FOX PARTICIPATED IN THIS EVENT. ON 2/17/00, A BROAD-BASED COALITION OF INDUSTRY LEADERS IN THE PIPELINE AND UNDERGROUND DAMAGE PREVENTION COMMUNITIES MET TO LAUNCH THE TEAMS THAT WILL DEVELOP AND STAFF THE NEW ORGANIZATION. RSPA BELIEVES THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF CONGRESS AND THE U.S. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT), WE CAN PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO INITIATE THE CREATION OF A SELF-SUSTAINING PRIVATE SECTOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND ENSURE THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL AFFECTED STAKEHOLDERS. WE BELIEVE THIS ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE FORUM FOR INFORMATION SHARING AMONG ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN DAMAGE PREVENTION. THIS WILL INCLUDE REGULAR INTERACTION WITH THE AFFECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE DAMAGE PREVENTION COMMUNITY. WE BELIEVE THE ORGANIZATION CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO UNDERGROUND DAMAGE PREVENTION ISSUES AND TO OUR ATTEMPTS TO RESPOND FULLY TO A NUMBER OF "OPEN" NTSB RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING P-97-14 THROUGH -24, AND P-99-1. IN ADDITION, RSPA HAS BEEN DEPLOYING A NATIONAL DAMAGE PREVENTION PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, KNOWN AS THE DIG SAFELY CAMPAIGN. THIS EFFORT DATES BACK TO OCTOBER 1996, WHEN WE FORMED THE DAMAGE PREVENTION QUALITY ACTION TEAM (DAMQAT). THIS TEAM INCLUDED A BROAD SPECTRUM OF REPRESENTATIVES: PROFESSIONAL EXCAVATORS, ONE-CALL CENTERS, INSURANCE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, OPERATORS OF HAZARDOUS LIQUID, NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION LINES AS WELL AS STATE PIPELINE SAFETY AGENCIES, AND RSPA'S OPS. THE DAMQAT CONDUCTED AN EXTENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING A NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF 1500 RESPONDENTS FROM THE EXCAVATOR, FACILITY OPERATOR, AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC. DAMQAT USED THE RESULTS OF THE NATIONAL SURVEY TO DEVELOP A "TAG LINE," A MESSAGE, AND A DESIGN FOR EDUCATION CAMPAIGN MATERIALS. THESE MATERIALS INCLUDED A SAFETY VIDEO, PRINT ADS FOR TRADE PUBLICATIONS, A RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT, BROCHURES, AND BILL INSERTS. THESE WERE FIELD TESTED FOR SIX MONTHS IN THREE STATES, VIRGINIA, GEORGIA, AND ALABAMA. PRE-PILOT AND POST-PILOT SURVEYS ENABLED THE TEAM TO JUDGE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MATERIALS. DATA COLLECTED FROM THE THREE STATES INDICATE A SHARP INCREASE IN RECOGNITION OF THE FOUR BASIC MESSAGES OF THE CAMPAIGN: CALL BEFORE YOU DIG, WAIT THE REQUIRED TIME, OBSERVE THE MARKS, AND DIG WITH CARE. ALL THREE STATES REPORTED A DECLINE IN EXCAVATION-RELATED DAMAGE TO UNDERGROUND FACILITIES. IN ADDITION, DAMQAT COMMISSIONED A TRAINING MANUAL FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO USE THE CAMPAIGN MATERIALS. IT CONTAINS GENERAL INFORMATION ON HOW TO CONDUCT A DAMAGE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY VIDEO, AND TWO CD ROMS WHICH CONTAIN ALL THE CAMPAIGN ARTWORK. DAMQAT TEAM MEMBERS HAVE CONDUCTED OVER THIRTY DIG SAFELY TRAINING SESSIONS NATIONWIDE. ANOTHER SIX ARE SCHEDULED AND MORE ARE BEING PLANNED. THE DAMQAT WAS RECENTLY RENAMED THE DIG SAFELY TEAM, IS EXPANDING ITS MEMBERSHIP AND HOPES TO INCLUDE OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES SUCH AS LOCATORS, CABLE TV, ELECTRICITY, WATER AND SEWER. SOME OF THE MATERIALS WILL BE TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH FOR DISTRIBUTION IN AREAS WITH A SIGNIFICANT SPANISH SPEAKING POPULATION. THE DIG SAFELY CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY DOT, THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, ONE CALL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, THE ASSOCIATION OF OIL PIPELINES, AND THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAMAGE PREVENTION COUNCIL. THE NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD OF CANADA IS CONSIDERING RECOMMENDING TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT THAT THEY ADOPT THE CAMPAIGN. ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `ntsb-pipeline` - SHA-256: `4f1b90c1cc13ccb1fce9b5da115285669eecb861dee8b4fa38c624f961dbe471` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T04:57:24.741Z - Exported: 2026-08-22T04:29:13.361Z - Document slug: `ntsb-recommendation-p-97-014` ### Source metadata ```json { "recordKind": "ntsb_safety_recommendation", "safetyRecommendationNumber": "P-97-014", "recommendationMode": "Pipeline", "topicMode": "Pipeline", "ntsbNumber": "80433", "priority": "CLASS II", "overallStatus": "Closed - Acceptable Action", "overallStatusAcronym": "CAA", "overallDateClosed": "2001-04-18", "lastModifiedDate": "2016-11-15", "reportNumber": "SS-97-01", "reportUrl": "https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/80433.aspx", "transmittalLetterUrl": "http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/recletters/P97_14_24.pdf", "addressees": [ { "addresseeName": "RSPA", "addresseeStatusAcronym": "CAA", "addresseeStatus": "Closed - Acceptable Action", "addresseeDateClosed": "2001-04-18", "addresseeDetails": [ { "addresseeAcronym": "RSPA", "addresseeOrganizationType": "G-Federal Government", "isFromNtsb": true, "communicationDate": "2001-04-18", "communicationType": "Official Correspondence", "communicationContents": "THE SAFETY BOARD APPRECIATES THE UPDATE ON ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT P-97-14 THROUGH -24 AND P-99-1. THE SAFETY BOARD NOTES THAT ON 6/30/99, RSPA CO-SPONSORED A PUBLIC MEETING IN WASHINGTON, DC, TO PRESENT A REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES FOR DAMAGE PREVENTION. THE SAFETY BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT THE DIG SAFELY CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY THE DOT, THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, ONE CALL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, THE ASSOCIATION OF OIL PIPELINES, AND THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAMAGE PREVENTION COUNCIL, AND THAT THE NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD OF CANADA IS CONSIDERING RECOMMENDING TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT THAT THEY ADOPT THE CAMPAIGN. THE SAFETY BOARD IS ENCOURAGED BY RSPA'S EFFORTS, AS OUTLINED ABOVE, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE FURTHER PERIODIC UPDATES, INCLUDING A DISCUSSION OF ACTIVITIES THAT RELATE SPECIFICALLY TO THE ACTIONS CALLED FOR IN THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS. WITH RESPECT TO P-97-14, THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE INTENT OF THIS RECOMMENDATION HAS BEEN MET BASED ON THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND IN VIEW OF PREVIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. ACCORDINGLY, P-97-14 IS CLASSIFIED \"CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION.\"" }, { "addresseeAcronym": "RSPA", "addresseeOrganizationType": "G-Federal Government", "isFromNtsb": true, "communicationDate": "1998-10-21", "communicationType": "Official Correspondence", "communicationContents": "THE BOARD WOULD APPRECIATE BEING ADVISED OF ANY ACTIONS THAT RSPA HAS TAKEN OR PLANS TO TAKE ON EACH OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. COPIES OF OUR 1/6/98, AND OUR 4/30/98, CORRESPONDENCE ARE ENCLOSED." }, { "addresseeAcronym": "RSPA", "addresseeOrganizationType": "G-Federal Government", "isFromNtsb": true, "communicationDate": "1999-06-29", "communicationType": "Official Correspondence", "communicationContents": "THE SAFETY BOARD IS PLEASED THAT RSPA IS IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDED ACTION. THE BOARD RECOGNIZES THE \"BEST PRACTICES WORK\" AND BELIEVES THAT INFORMATION COULD BE USED TO HELP IN EVALUATING STATE PROGRAMS. ACCORDINGLY, P-97-14 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED \"OPEN--ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE,\" PENDING A FURTHER REPLY FROM RSPA ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS RECOMMENDATION." }, { "addresseeAcronym": "RSPA", "addresseeOrganizationType": "G-Federal Government", "isFromNtsb": false, "communicationDate": "1998-10-30", "communicationType": "Official Correspondence", "communicationContents": "RSPA'S DAMAGE PREVENTION ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE; 1) PASSAGE BY CONGRESS OF THE ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION PROVISIONS OF THE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY (TEA-2 1), WHICH WERE BASED ON DRAFT LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY DOT, THE PIPELINE INDUSTRY, AND OPERATORS OF OTHER UNDERGROUND FACILITIES; 2) IMPLEMENTATION OF A RULE REQUIRING OPERATORS OF ONSHORE GAS, HAZARDOUS LIQUID AND CARBON DIOXIDE PIPELINES TO PARTICIPATE IN QUALIFIED ONE-CALL SYSTEMS AS PART OF THE EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAMS REQUIRED BY THE PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATIONS; 3) FORMATION OF RSPA'S DAMAGE PREVENTION QUALITY ACTION TEAM (DAMQAT), WHICH INCLUDES GROUPS WITH A SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN DAMAGE PREVENTION, INCLUDING STATES, PROFESSIONAL EXCAVATORS, ONE-CALL CENTERS, INSURANCE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES; AND 4) LAUNCH OF THE PILOT DAMAGE PREVENTION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. DAMQAT CONDUCTED A NATIONWIDE, IN-DEPTH STUDY OF DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND EXCAVATION PRACTICES. THE STUDY DOCUMENTED THE DAMAGE PREVENTION PRACTICES THAT ARE GENERALLY OBSERVED AND THOSE WHICH NEED TO BE ADOPTED. THIS WAS THE FIRST IN-DEPTH NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF KEY GROUPS: PROFESSIONAL EXCAVATORS, STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES, FACILITY OPERATORS AND THE PUBLIC. DAMQAT HAS CONDUCTED A SURVEY TO EVALUATE THE LEVEL OF DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND DAMAGE PREVENTION PRACTICES. THE SURVEY DISCUSSED ABOVE PROVIDED BASELINE DATA ON DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND EXCAVATION PRACTICES FOR DESIGN OF MATERIALS FOR A ONE-CALL PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN THAT WILL ENABLE RSPA TO GAUGE THE SUCCESS OF THE PILOT EDUCATION PROGRAM. RSPA LAUNCHED ITS PILOT DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN THREE STATES TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM BEFORE NATIONWIDE IMPLEMENTATION. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE AIMED AT ENSURING THAT THE EXCAVATING COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL PARTICIPATION IN DAMAGE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, EFFECTIVE PIPELINE MARKING PRACTICES, THE IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE MAPPING AND LOCATION OF PIPELINES, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING TO AMELIORATE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DAMAGE TO PIPELINES. RSPA IS ALSO ESTABLISHING A NEW TEAM OF GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY, AND PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES TO COMPLETE A STUDY OF BEST PRACTICES IN DAMAGE PREVENTION AND TO PROMOTE INFORMATION SHARING AMONG ALL INTERESTS INVOLVED IN UNDERGROUND FACILITY DAMAGE PREVENTION. THE TEAM WILL EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS EXISTING ONE-CALL NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS IN PROTECTING THE PUBLIC, INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IN PREVENTING DISRUPTIONS TO PUBLIC SERVICES AND DAMAGE TO UNDERGROUND FACILITIES. RSPA CONDUCTED A PUBLIC MEETING ON 8/25-26/98, TO SOLICIT VIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS STUDY OF ONE-CALL SYSTEM BEST PRACTICES. THE ATTENDEES REPRESENTED ALL PARTS OF THE DAMAGE PREVENTION COMMUNITY. THE ONE-CALL BEST PRACTICES STUDY TEAM IS NOW BEING ESTABLISHED AND WILL MEET OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE ONE-CALL BEST PRACTICES FROM THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA. RSPA IS MEETING THE INTENT OF P-97-14 THROUGH THE CURRENT PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES OF DAMQAT AND THE UPCOMING DAMAGE PREVENTION BEST PRACTICES STUDY TEAM, WHICH WILL CONDUCT REGULAR MEETINGS WITH GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY. THE FINDINGS OF BOTH DAMAGE PREVENTION TEAMS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. RSPA REQUESTS THAT P-97-14 BE CLASSIFIED AS \"CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION.\"" }, { "addresseeAcronym": "RSPA", "addresseeOrganizationType": "G-Federal Government", "isFromNtsb": false, "communicationDate": "2000-04-24", "communicationType": "Official Correspondence", "communicationContents": "ON 6/30/99, RSPA CO-SPONSORED A PUBLIC MEETING IN WASHINGTON, DC, TO PRESENT A REPORT ON DAMAGE PREVENTION BEST PRACTICES. THE REPORT WAS DEVELOPED BY OVER 160 VOLUNTEERS REPRESENTING A BROAD SPECTRUM OF DAMAGE PREVENTION STAKEHOLDERS WHO WORKED FOR ALMOST A YEAR TO PRODUCE A REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES IN DAMAGE PREVENTION, KNOWN AS THE COMMON GROUND STUDY. THIS REPORT COVERED VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF DAMAGE PREVENTION FROM DESIGN AND PLANNING, THROUGH LOCATING AND SAFE EXCAVATION PRACTICES. IT HAS BECOME THE MANUAL OF CHOICE FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN DAMAGE PREVENTION. WE ARE GRATIFIED THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO JOIN US TO PRESENT THIS REPORT TO TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY RODNEY SLATER. RSPA IS NOW FACILITATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO ADVANCE UNDERGROUND DAMAGE PREVENTION, CONSISTENT WITH THE COOPERATIVE SPIRIT OF THE COMMON GROUND TEAM. RSPA HELD A PUBLIC MEETING ON 10/28/99, IN BALTIMORE, MD, TO ELABORATE THE ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING POSSIBLE MISSION STATEMENTS, GOALS, FUNCTIONS, GUIDING PRINCIPLES, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. NTSB'S JACK FOX PARTICIPATED IN THIS EVENT. ON 2/17/00, A BROAD-BASED COALITION OF INDUSTRY LEADERS IN THE PIPELINE AND UNDERGROUND DAMAGE PREVENTION COMMUNITIES MET TO LAUNCH THE TEAMS THAT WILL DEVELOP AND STAFF THE NEW ORGANIZATION. RSPA BELIEVES THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF CONGRESS AND THE U.S. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT), WE CAN PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO INITIATE THE CREATION OF A SELF-SUSTAINING PRIVATE SECTOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND ENSURE THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL AFFECTED STAKEHOLDERS. WE BELIEVE THIS ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE FORUM FOR INFORMATION SHARING AMONG ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN DAMAGE PREVENTION. THIS WILL INCLUDE REGULAR INTERACTION WITH THE AFFECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE DAMAGE PREVENTION COMMUNITY. WE BELIEVE THE ORGANIZATION CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO UNDERGROUND DAMAGE PREVENTION ISSUES AND TO OUR ATTEMPTS TO RESPOND FULLY TO A NUMBER OF \"OPEN\" NTSB RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING P-97-14 THROUGH -24, AND P-99-1. IN ADDITION, RSPA HAS BEEN DEPLOYING A NATIONAL DAMAGE PREVENTION PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, KNOWN AS THE DIG SAFELY CAMPAIGN. THIS EFFORT DATES BACK TO OCTOBER 1996, WHEN WE FORMED THE DAMAGE PREVENTION QUALITY ACTION TEAM (DAMQAT). THIS TEAM INCLUDED A BROAD SPECTRUM OF REPRESENTATIVES: PROFESSIONAL EXCAVATORS, ONE-CALL CENTERS, INSURANCE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, OPERATORS OF HAZARDOUS LIQUID, NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION LINES AS WELL AS STATE PIPELINE SAFETY AGENCIES, AND RSPA'S OPS. THE DAMQAT CONDUCTED AN EXTENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING A NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF 1500 RESPONDENTS FROM THE EXCAVATOR, FACILITY OPERATOR, AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC. DAMQAT USED THE RESULTS OF THE NATIONAL SURVEY TO DEVELOP A \"TAG LINE,\" A MESSAGE, AND A DESIGN FOR EDUCATION CAMPAIGN MATERIALS. THESE MATERIALS INCLUDED A SAFETY VIDEO, PRINT ADS FOR TRADE PUBLICATIONS, A RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT, BROCHURES, AND BILL INSERTS. THESE WERE FIELD TESTED FOR SIX MONTHS IN THREE STATES, VIRGINIA, GEORGIA, AND ALABAMA. PRE-PILOT AND POST-PILOT SURVEYS ENABLED THE TEAM TO JUDGE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MATERIALS. DATA COLLECTED FROM THE THREE STATES INDICATE A SHARP INCREASE IN RECOGNITION OF THE FOUR BASIC MESSAGES OF THE CAMPAIGN: CALL BEFORE YOU DIG, WAIT THE REQUIRED TIME, OBSERVE THE MARKS, AND DIG WITH CARE. ALL THREE STATES REPORTED A DECLINE IN EXCAVATION-RELATED DAMAGE TO UNDERGROUND FACILITIES. IN ADDITION, DAMQAT COMMISSIONED A TRAINING MANUAL FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO USE THE CAMPAIGN MATERIALS. IT CONTAINS GENERAL INFORMATION ON HOW TO CONDUCT A DAMAGE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY VIDEO, AND TWO CD ROMS WHICH CONTAIN ALL THE CAMPAIGN ARTWORK. DAMQAT TEAM MEMBERS HAVE CONDUCTED OVER THIRTY DIG SAFELY TRAINING SESSIONS NATIONWIDE. ANOTHER SIX ARE SCHEDULED AND MORE ARE BEING PLANNED. THE DAMQAT WAS RECENTLY RENAMED THE DIG SAFELY TEAM, IS EXPANDING ITS MEMBERSHIP AND HOPES TO INCLUDE OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES SUCH AS LOCATORS, CABLE TV, ELECTRICITY, WATER AND SEWER. SOME OF THE MATERIALS WILL BE TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH FOR DISTRIBUTION IN AREAS WITH A SIGNIFICANT SPANISH SPEAKING POPULATION. THE DIG SAFELY CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY DOT, THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, ONE CALL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, THE ASSOCIATION OF OIL PIPELINES, AND THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAMAGE PREVENTION COUNCIL. THE NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD OF CANADA IS CONSIDERING RECOMMENDING TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT THAT THEY ADOPT THE CAMPAIGN." } ] } ], "jurisdiction": "US" } ```