Minutes of Maryland/DC Damage Prevention
Meeting
September 26, 2006
Miss Utility Call Center
Hanover, MD 21076
I. Call To Order and Introduction:
Wayne Gilmer (Utiliquest) called the regular monthly
meeting to order at 9:35 am.
Introductions were made.
There was one correction to the Minutes. Tom Baldwin
stated that nixing and nixed should be changed to nicking
and nicked in the following paragraph: “There was
a lengthy discussion about nicking and bumping utility
lines. Jack Sullivan stated that they are seeing an increase
in faults from cables that had been nicked six to twelve
months ago. He requested that BGE be contacted whenever
a cable jacket/sheathing is nicked. He also indicated
that BGE would not bill for it. A few stated that utility
owners should be contacted directly whenever a utility
line is going to be exposed for long periods of time.”
The minutes of August 22, 2006 were approved with the
one correction.
II. Damage Prevention Presentations:
None at this time.
III. Safety Events:
Wayne Gilmer attended the
2006 Centennial Contractors Mid-Atlantic Safety Fair
at the La Fontaine Bleu in Lanham, MD on September 21,
2006. He stated that PEPCO, Red Cross, MOSH and Safeware
were some of the companies providing safety material
in addition to Miss Utility. He said seminars were done
on electrical safety and fall protection in addition
to excavation safety. He said that PEPCO had done their
overhead electric line safety demonstration that day
and thought everyone would benefit from seeing it. There
was a brief discussion about BGE’s overhead
electric line safety demonstration. Tom Baldwin said
he would look into seeing if it could be done at a future
MD/DC Damage Prevention Committee meeting.
Matt Ruddo stated that a damage prevention presentation
was scheduled for AA County DPW on October 3, 2006 at
435 Maxwell Frye Road in Millersville, MD. He said that
they will have approximately 50 people in attendance.
IV. Trade Shows:
Wayne Gilmer gave a brief overview of the trade show
coverage and schedule at Ripken Stadium, Timonium Fairgrounds
and the Show Place Arena. He also stated that a second
trade show booth was ordered because there are times
when the booth is needed for events on the same day.
Matt Ruddo said the second booth may be available for
those that have a company sponsored safety day.
V. Locator Achievement & Dig Smart Awards:
Wayne Gilmer stated the first meeting was held on September
25, 2006 and that Nelson Sneed of Verizon would be the
Chairman of the Committee. He said that everyone was
comfortable with the overall process, but that Chris
McMurry (MGH) had several great suggestions to enhance
the event. He said the group agreed that a better photographer
was needed and that a survey about the Awards night would
be given to those that attend the event as well.
VI. Marking Standards Committee:
Wayne Gilmer stated that the Marking Standards Committee
has made progress since their first meeting on May 3,
2006. He said they have agreed on definitions and marking
styles for corridor and conduit markings. He said at
the last meeting they discussed perimeter safe zone markings.
He stated that perimeter safe zone markings would be
used around pad mounted equipment such as transformers,
pedestals, cabinets, etc. He also stated that no mechanized
equipment should be used in the safe zone area.
There was a lengthy discussion about the perimeter safe
zone markings. A few expressed concerns with having to
hand dig inside a large boxed area. Several suggested
that vacuum excavation be used in those types of situations
and that Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) should
be considered on large projects. Tom Baldwin indicated
that some states require SUE on major project work. He
said that he has also seen statistics that state that
$1 dollar of SUE work can save $4 on the backend of a
major project.
VII. Contractor Events:
Matt Ruddo stated that two contractor events are scheduled
for October 17th at the Hughesville American Legion Post#238
at 6265 Brandywine Road and the 19th in Spencerville
at the Cedar Ridge Community Church at 2410 Spencerville
Road. He said that Roger Campbell from MOSH would be
the guest speaker at both events. He also said that MOSH
would have their booth there in addition to the Miss
Utility booth and some of the MD Subscribers.
VIII. MD/DC Subscribers Group:
Wayne Gilmer gave a brief update on the topics that
were discussed at the September 6th MD/DC Subscribers
meeting. He stated that MGH had been selected as the
advertising agency to replace Lisa Howard. He also stated
that the Call Center is continuing to work with ADC on
their grid overlay images.
Tom Baldwin asked Matt Ruddo if the 811 call could be
used to check the status of tickets. Matt Ruddo stated
it wouldn’t be cost effective because the 811 call
is being pointed to a toll-free number and they would
transfer the call to the Ticket Check toll-free number.
He did state that a vector could be created that transfers
them to a message letting the caller know that the toll-free
number is 1-866-821-4226.
Mark Hamrick stated that Verizon wireless has implemented
811 and that it is up and running.
IX. FTTP/FIOS Progress Report:
Christy Stinebaugh stated that she had accepted another
position within Verizon and that today was going to be
her last damage prevention meeting. She stated that Shawn
Breen would be taking her place at the meetings. She
also stated that Mark Salazar would be replacing Mike
Hoover as the Director for the FTTP project effective
October 1, 2006.
Shawn Breen provided the following trench footage projections
for October;
| |
October |
| Anne Arundel |
44,442
feet |
| Howard |
33,343
feet |
| Prince George’s |
238,300
feet |
| Montgomery |
0 feet |
Shawn also stated that 2,261 FTTP and 193 FIOS contractors
have been trained so far in 2006.
Mark Hamrick (Verizon) stated that Pat Knickman (Verizon)
didn’t have the FIOS projections for the meeting
today. John Payne (Southern MD Cable) asked if there
were any target dates for the FTTP project in Calvert,
Charles and St. Mary’s Counties. Mark stated that
something may happen in Calvert next year, but nothing
is definite.
X. Open Discussion:
John Payne asked if anyone had a source for getting bedded
shovels. Several stated that they aren’t on the
market and that he should contact a welder.
There was a general discussion about what should be
done when a cable is nicked and who should be contacted.
Christy Stinebaugh stated that all nicked cables from
an FTTP installation should be referred to their hotline
which is 1-888-550-2244.
Matt Cupples (Flippo Construction) stated that he is
getting invoiced for cable damages because they have
called a ticket in the area. He also expressed concerns
because the utility owner and contract locator are called
when the damage occurs and the contractor is not made
aware of it until they get the bill. Christy Stinebaugh
suggested he talk to Vince Healy (Verizon) on all Verizon
bills.
Dennis Lescalleet (Pleasants Construction) shared a
recent story in which one man died in a manhole in the
Washington D.C area. He said that one man went into the
manhole to pick up something he had dropped and died
because there was no oxygen in the hole. He said a second
man went in to get him and is currently in critical condition.
Dennis stated that they would be alive today had they
tested the atmosphere in the manhole before they went
in. Christ Stinebaugh stated that websites are available
providing reference material for excavation safety, confined
space, etc. A few had stated that National Utility Contractors
Association (NUCA) is a good resource material as well.
Dennis Lescallett showed everyone a hit kit that his
company had purchased from Rhino and said he would stick
around after the meeting if anyone was interested in
looking at it.
Dennis Lescalleet asked how the Miss Utility Law addresses
underground utility lines on fixed sites. He said they
have a construction material recycling site and he thinks
there may be underground facilities at the site. He’s
concerned because their heavy machinery digs in the ground
and he’s never seen marks at the site. John Payne
suggested that he contact his legal folks. Matt Ruddo
suggested that he call in a locate request to see if
the utility lines are public or private.
Robert Vicks (PEPCO) stated that PEPCO recently called
in tickets and they were all statused with a 48 hour
delay. Wayne Gilmer stated that he is familiar with PEPCO’s
concerns and that 48 hour delays were statused because
they were having IT issues on the day the tickets were
due for a status.
Upcoming Damage Prevention Presentations:
October 3, 2006 Anne Arundel County Department of Public
Works Bureau of Highways at 435 Maxwell Frye Road in
Millersville, MD from 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Upcoming Trade shows:
September
- 30th & Oct. 1st Harford Live Home & Garden
Show at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, MD
October
- 20th-22nd Fall Maryland Home and Garden Show at the
Timonium Fairgrounds in Timonium, MD
- 27th-29th Suburban
Maryland Fall Home & Garden Show
at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD
Upcoming Meetings:
The next Maryland/DC Damage Prevention meeting is scheduled
for October 24, 2006 at the Miss Utility Center. Coffee
and donuts will be served at 9:00 am. The meeting will
begin at 9:30 am.
The next Maryland/DC Marking Standards Committee will
meet immediately following the Damage Prevention Meeting.
Lunch will be available for those that attend.
The Maryland/DC Subscribers meeting will be held December
6, 2006 at the Miss Utility Center. Coffee and donuts
will be served at 8:30 am, and the meeting will begin
at 9:00 am.
There being no further business to be brought before
the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 am.
| Attendee List |
 |
| Name |
|
Company |
|
Phone |
|
Email |
| Wayne Gilmer |
|
|
|
| Mark Hamrick |
|
|
|
| Shawn Breen |
|
|
|
| Matt Ruddo |
|
|
|
| Tim Kempa |
|
|
|
| Bede DuPree |
|
|
|
| Christy Stinebaugh |
|
|
|
| Zenon Sushko |
|
|
|
| Tom Baldwin |
|
|
|
| Dennis Lescalleet |
|
|
|
| Kenton Jones |
|
|
|
| Vince Healy |
|
|
|
| Jay Spence |
|
|
|
| Matt Cupples |
|
|
|
| Karen Watkins |
|
|
|
| John Payne |
|
|
|
| Brian Sink |
|
|
|
| Tony Goodman |
|
|
|
| Kelly Hardy |
|
|
|
| Denise Collins |
|
|
|
| Joe Pavel |
|
|
|
| Scott Brown |
|
|
|
| Robert Vicks |
|
|
|
| Tom Hastings |
|
|
|
| Sherell Stone |
|
|
|
| Rick Behrens |
|
|
|
| Mike Bell |
|
|
|
| Veronica
Rozier |
|
|
|
| Bob Norman |
|
|
|
| Dave Dubs |
|
|
|
| Jack Sullivan |
|
|
|
|
