41 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Best Practices for HDD Operations Adapted from Information by Ditch Witch Having a well-prepared jobsite is just the first step to keeping horizontal directional drilling (HDD) crews safe. Gathering information and planning the ideal bore path before the job is one of the best ways to decrease risks and ensure the crew is successful and safe when navigating around the many utilities scattered through an urban jobsite. As more and more utilities are being installed in urban areas, GPS coordinates of utilities are increasingly important to expedite the location process. Also, manufacturers of HDD guidance equipment anticipate using this information in the future to improve underground location processes. A project engineer is responsible for gathering local regulations on underground drilling, traffic interruption, and environmental impacts. Since regulations can vary from region to region and state to state, it can be challenging to stay current. One resource which can be used to stay up-to-date on regulations is the “Safe Excavator” mobile app from the National Excavator Initiative. This information, along with the located utilities, will help the engineer determine which types of equipment they will recommend a contractor use and could ultimately impact who bids for the job. Once a job is available to bid, all contractors who plan to submit bids should visit the jobsite. While there, they can perform their own visual inspection and survey of the jobsite to understand any potential hazards. After a job is awarded, the engineer, project foreman, and operator should meet to review all the gathered information. With this information in hand, the team can develop the drilling plan. Sometimes the bidding process can take many months, but locates (utility location markers) are only valid for 14 days. As the team begins developing the drilling plan, another call to 811 will be necessary. Even if the project engineer has GPS data on file, it is an industry best practice to call and get the utility locations marked again so there is fresh paint on the ground for the contractor to reference while daylighting existing utilities or drilling. Research from the Common Ground Alliance, indicates the number one challenge technicians reported regarding accurate locates is the jobsite wasn’t clearly marked. That’s where white-lining can make a difference. Whenever a contractor or engineer calls 811, they should use white paint to mark the proposed jobsite - in many states this is required by law. On the first 811 call, this will indicate a proposed jobsite. After the second call to 811 (once the contractor is in place), the white-lined area should show the proposed bore path as determined by the GPS data and mapping process. Accurately white-lining an entire jobsite and proposed bore path will help the locating technician view and understand the work zone. This can lead to more accurate locates and, in some instances, quicker locates allowing drilling projects to proceed sooner and safer. Color Codes for Locating Utility Lines Red Yellow Blue Purple Green Pink White Orange Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit, and Lighting Cables Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum, or Gaseous Materials Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables, or Conduit Potable Water Reclaimed Water, Irrigation, and Slurry Lines Sewers and Drain Lines Temporary Survey Markings Proposed Excavating DIR 2023 NDA Convention September 13-15 Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa Lexington, KY For more information call: 877-632-4748 or visit: www.nda4u.com Exhibitor & Sponsor Opportunities are Available! President’s Dinner with Awards and Entertainment • Golf Outing • Presentations for CE Credits • Cornhole Tournament • Outdoor Static Displays • And More! Keynote Presentation by Certified Human Behavior Expert, Brian Brogen - Culture Over Compliance. Joe Scribellito, Jr. Memorial Golf Outing Outdoor Static Displays Cornhole Tournament
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Mzk=