Damage prevention

(a)For purposes of this section:#

(1)"Excavation Ticket" means a notification provided by an excavator to the central clearinghouse, as defined in section 16-345(4) of the Connecticut General Statutes.#

(2)"Markout" means the process of marking the approximate location of an underground facility on the surface with paint, flags or stakes pursuant to section 16-345-5 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.#

(b)The actions required by section 16-345-3(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall not be performed by contractors.#

(c)Each Operator shall define the limits of blasting near such Operator's Pipeline Facilities including:#

(1)setting limits on the peak particle velocity based on Pipe material, Pipe size and geologic conditions;#

(2)requiring monitoring of peak particle velocity utilizing appropriate equipment to ensure that the maximum peak particle velocity is not exceeded; and#

(3)conducting a leakage survey at the end of each blasting sequence for a distance considered adequate to ensure the integrity of the Pipeline Facilities.#

(d)Each Operator shall have a program to inspect excavation activities in the vicinity of such Operator's Pipeline Facilities that includes:#

(1)for each calendar year, performing a number of inspections at least equal to 2.5 percent of the previous calendar year's number of Excavation Tickets received;#

(2)not more than 25 percent of the inspections on excavations performed by the Operator or by contractors working for the Operator;#

(3)inspections only being conducted by individuals other than those who performed the Markout; and#

(4)the risk-based selection of inspections, considering the type and duration of excavation activity, the proximity to Pipeline Facilities, the proximity to critical facilities, and the past experience with the excavator.#