|
|
|
|
 |
|
From the Desk of Chris Stovall
We just finished our 2019 Damage Prevention Summit and the feedback was positive. Attendance was the highest ever and the sessions were some of the best we've seen. It was great seeing all of the industry stakeholders come together and move the needle closer to zero damages and zero waste.
Texas811 is proud to support members that are setting the standard in the industry. Some of our members are stepping up their outreach efforts specifically to the Spanish speaking community, and Texas811 is looking forward to working alongside our members in this endeavor. We are supporting our members with outreach in many different ways including print, radio, and social media. And ... we are ready to answer the call. Nearly one-quarter of our staff speaks Spanish!
We are also partnering with some of our membership to take advantage of the massive amounts of data within the 811 center. Our members are using this data to assess risk, predict where the next damage is most likely to occur, and then take action to mitigate the risk. The earliest adopters are experiencing a 30% reduction in damages!
Damage prevention and public safety are a serious business. It's a business we know our members care about getting right. We also see the trend in working smarter by using technology. We are supporting these initiatives by putting the best possible locate ticket in the hands of our members. Our agents work to get not only the critical information for a work site, but also additional information that helps everyone involved get to dig locations quicker and mark facilities with confidence. Better information makes for a safe, efficient, and effective process for all.
Sincerely,
Chris Stovall
President & CEO
Texas811
|
|
|
|
This is the fifth 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.
|
|
Save the Date for next year's Texas811 Damage Prevention Summit, February 24-26, 2020 back in Galveston.
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Excavator Initiative
Texas811 is a proud sponsor of the National Excavator Initiative. The NEI is designed to
increase awareness of underground utility infrastructure and the importance of using 811 and safe digging practices to protect it. NEI provides meaningful information and useful safety resources that capture the attention of excavators and the general public.
The NEI campaign utilizes videos featuring television personality Mike Rowe, known as the host of Dirty Jobs and narrator of the Deadliest Catch. Take a look
HERE
.
The program satisfies all PHMSA RP 1162 requirements including documentation.
The more companies who choose to participate through contributions and using the videos as part of their damage prevention programs, the more leverage and visibility the program will have. You can learn more at
www.safeexcavator.com
.
|
|
Coming Soon! New Information on the Texas811 Ticket
We've spoken to many of you over the past year. And one of the things we heard repeatedly was requests for more information on our tickets. In response to your comments, we're enhancing the information we provide on our tickets beyond what is required by law. Beginning April 30, we will request the following information.
- Zip code for the worksite
- Type of equipment to be used in excavation
- Depth and length of the excavation
- Excavator supplied GPS
- Subdivision name
- Job #
- Worksite information and instructions
- Detailed driving directions
If you have technical questions related to receiving the enhanced tickets, please contact
GCAdmin@texas811.org
.
Members are used to calling the Texas811 Buds for inquiries and help. The Buds are now part of a new group called Member Service Managers. Member Relations Managers are also part of this group. You can reach them at
MemberServices@texas811.org.
|
|
Damage Prevention through Analytics
Texas811, through its partnership with Opvantek, is using historical one-call and damage data to identify the level of risk for damages from a specific one-call notification. Statistics suggest that locates with the highest 10% of Risk Assessment Scores account for more than 50% of excavation damages. Texas811 can provide our member utilities with a real-time Risk Assessment Score on one-call tickets. This gives member utilities new tools for early intervention. Significant savings in damage repair costs can be realized by implementing predictive analytics and appropriate intervention strategies.
Here's
a one-minute video on how the process works.
Predictive analytics will be live in 2Q 2019.
As part of the introduction of Texas811's work in predictive analytics, you're invited to a special presentation
hosted by Texas811 and Opvantek on the use of predictive analytics to reduce damages to underground facilities in Texas.
In addition to the Opvantek team, Texas811 will be represented by Kyle VanLandingham, Director of Customized Services, John Sparks, Director of Damage Prevention and Doug Meeks, Damage Prevention Manager. Topics include: how Texas companies have built the business case for using predictive analysis to reduce damages, how to mitigate damages once you're aware of a risk and the role Texas811 plays in the process.
WHEN:
Thursday, April 11, 2019, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Breakfast is included.
WHERE:
The Westin - Downtown Austin
HOW:
Free registration required. Select the Optimain XDR Summit at the bottom of the list. Sign up for the Wednesday night event on the same form. Click here to register.
|
|
Golf Tournament
When: Thursday, April 18, 2019
Where: Firewheel Golf Park, Garland, TX
Shot gun start at 8am
4-man team-$380
1 person-$100
100% of proceeds go to the 501(c)(3) non-profit
Damage Prevention Council of Texas
to fund grass-roots utility & pipeline damage prevention outreach throughout the state of Texas!
Win Shotgun-Support Damage Prevention
Tickets $20 each - chance to win one of four guns
Tickets sold until April 18, 2019
100% of raffle proceeds go to the 501(c)(3) non-profit
Damage Prevention Council of Texas
to fund grass-roots utility & pipeline damage prevention outreach throughout the state of Texas!
|
|
Upcoming Holidays
The following State and National Holidays are observed, which means they are not included in the 48-hour period between requesting a notification and when it must be marked. Please keep this in mind, and request your locates early enough to account for the Holidays.
|
April 21*
|
San Jacinto Day
|
|
May 27
|
Memorial Day
|
|
June 19
|
Emancipation Day in Texas
|
*
Holidays that fall on a weekend are not observed.
|
|
|
|
