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From the Desk of Chris Stovall
We have been working with our members over the past several months to enhance our offerings in several areas. One of those areas is technology.
Technology plays a huge role in how we prevent damage and protect lives today and the trend is clear, tech is here to stay. We want to remain the technology leader for our members. We have already met with many of you to ensure that we are developing technology that is valuable to the industry - and we'd love to hear from those of you who haven't had a chance to weigh in yet.
If you have suggestions for us, please contact Shakheana Fields, Director of Marketing Communications at shakheanafields@texas811.org or 972-280-8791.
For years, Texas811 has set the standard in our business on behalf of our membership and we are working hard to continue. We have made several enhancements this year that improve our accuracy and efficiency - making us better and faster at what we do serving you.
We have a brand new website coming out which is how the majority of the excavating community interacts with Texas811 today, and we have much more to follow.
We work every day to make Texas a safer place for all. If you haven't signed up yet, we would love to have you join us at the International Locate Rodeo in October, and, of course, our Damage Prevention Summit early next year.
Sincerely,
Chris Stovall
President & CEO
Texas811
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This is the third issue of the new Texas811 Member Newsletter. We'll include content relevant to our members; news you can use. Expect to see an issue in your inbox once a quarter. Feel free to pass this to others within your organization. If they are interested in getting a copy every quarter, ask them to click below to be added to the distribution list.
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Texas811 Welcomes Two New Bilingual Damage Prevention Managers
Ketha Molina, a West Texas native, brings over 18 years of experience as a safety
professional. She's a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and Women In Safety Excellence.
Ketha is the new Damage Prevention Manager for the High Plains, South Plains, Permian Basin, Big Country, and Concho Valley Damage Prevention Councils.
Jesse Torres has 18 years of public and infrastructure safety
education and experience. He managed the damage prevention program for CPS Energy for the last 15 years, and has been a board member or co-chair of organizations such as the Hispanic Contractors Association, Common Ground Alliance, Texas Gas Association and the American Subcontractors Association.
Jesse's Damage Prevention Councils include
Lower Brazos, Piney Woods, Golden Triangle, South East Texas, Golden Crescent, Gulf Coast, and Rio Grande Valley.
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White Lining Deserves Another Look
White Lining is an underrated damage prevention tool. It deserves another look.
Many Texas811 members believe that excavators are requesting locates before they actually plan on beginning work and Updates before they are needed. Both of these practices increase the load on locators making it difficult for members to complete locates in the required time frame.
White lining can help minimize unnecessary requests for locates. If excavators are required to white line their prospective work sites prior to requesting a locate, they will be less likely to "jump the gun" requesting locates too far in advance.
While there is no mechanism for getting all excavators to change their habits, each member who requires their subcontractors to white line their work will help relieve the pressure. If enough members adopt this requirement, we should all see a drop in unnecessarily early locate requests.
White Lining can also be used to help reduce damages. The more complete and accurate the information provided to the locators, the more accurate their locating marks will be. Requiring white lining is another level of detail that will promote additional accuracy from locators and may allow them to complete each locate a little quicker.
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International Utility Locate Rodeo 2018
Texas811 is hosting the International Utility Locate Rodeo for the third time this October. This event is the world championship for locators. Locators compete on a pre-determined course of locates and are judged on a number of factors including accuracy and speed.
If you have in-house locators, you should consider enrolling them to compete. It is a way to reward them for the jobs they do every day to protect your underground facilities. It is also an opportunity for locators to meet their counterparts from around the country to share experiences and learn from each other.
The rodeo will be October 11-13, 2018 in the DFW area. Entry fees are $300 per competitor.
Hosting this competition is part of Texas811's Damage Prevention Outreach. We work to enhance all aspects of utility locating; we're much more than a notification processing center.
http://www.locaterodeo.net
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811 Day
811 Day, the National Day of One-Call Before You Dig Awareness, is next week. Throughout the state there are events to build public awareness of the need to contact 811 before digging.
Here are some of the highlights:
There's a "pre-811 Day" baseball game with the San Antonio Missions sponsored by CPS Energy with an assist from Texas811.
Texas811 is one of several sponsors of 811 presents Cody Johnson & Friends at San Houston Race Park in Houston on Saturday, August 11.
And we're premiering a new website. You'll still find it at
www.Texas811.org. The new site has the dual objectives of being easy to use for both members and excavators and building awareness of the 811 process. All the information and services you need as a member are available at Member Services on the blue navigation bar.
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Texas811 Tailgate Wrap
The stylish Texas811 tailgate wrap can be customized to your company with your logo and utility.
The cost can range from $130-$300 total including installation. The price varies from city to city. We will do our best to work with you and make the installation process as quick and easy as possible.
"The graphics have already been getting attention and causing some to ask what 811 is. This has turned out to be one of the best damage prevention tools in our inventory. Thanks for all your help!" Steven Spencer, Administrator, City of Chireno, Texas.
For any questions or to purchase, email
Lauren Losawyer- and soon you'll be able to say "That's a wrap!"
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