Damage Prevention – Northwest Regional Common Ground Alliance

Damage to pipelines and other underground utilities (water, communications, power, etc.) by impact or exposure from digging operations is often cited as a major cause of pipeline failure.  The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is an industry-based “nonprofit organization dedicated to shared responsibility in damage prevention and promotion of the damage prevention Best Practices identified in the Common Ground Study Report. Building on the spirit of shared responsibility resulting from the Common Ground Study, the purpose of the CGA is to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services by promoting effective damage prevention practices.”  The CGA is encouraging the formation of Regional Common Ground Alliances.

Washington State has an effective one-call system to “Call Before You Dig” and request utility markings so that damage can be avoided.  There are still many problems, however, with damage prevention.  An effort was mounted to introduce legislation in the 2002 legislative session to strengthen the “Dig” laws with some penalties for non-compliance.  Reaching consensus among the stakeholders on a single legislative proposal was unsuccessful and no legislation was enacted.

A second and related issue is the lack of damage statistics on a statewide basis.  There appears to be no consistent damage reporting or collection procedures in practice.  This results in the absence of valid damage statistics and analysis that could provide insight into where prevention efforts are needed.  The Washington Utilities Coordinating Council (WUCC) has focused their current efforts on improving damage reporting and has proposed a standard report format for use in Washington.  The local Coordinating Councils have been assigned to collect damage report data.

While the WUCC and their regional councils have a role in the collection of damage report data, the current organization has been unable to affect a consistent implementation among the utilities, contractors and excavators who form their constituency.  This is due, in part, to absence of agreement on best practices in Washington state and to the lack of a WUCC voice with the policy makers in their companies.

The Common Ground Alliance has also developed damage reporting best practices and a recommended standard reporting form.  These best practices have the support of the Office of Pipeline Safety (National Transportation Safety Board) and are being implemented in other states.  Colorado is developing an automated reporting system that is expected to be online later in 2003.

Opportunity

The Northwest Gas Association (Dan Kirschner) and the Underground Utilities Locating Center (Don Evans), have initiated an effort to form a Northwest Regional Common Ground Alliance is now being formed.  The initial focus of this effort will most likely be on damage reporting best practices.  The WUCC will be part of this regional alliance.  Roundtable Associates is providing organization, facilitation and support services to the formation of this regional alliance as part of our WUTC pipeline safety contract.  A website for the effort has been established at www.cga-northwest.org.

While oriented toward damage prevention, Roundtable Associates views this as a significant step toward providing a “policy-level” forum for discussion of pipeline related issues.  We found little evidence that such forums are currently available – forums where common interests can be openly discussed and consensus reached on solutions to mutual concerns.  With damage prevention gaining attention at this level, we believe that the WUCC can be more effective in carrying out it’s operational and problem-solving responsibilities.

The “downside” of this forum is its industry orientation.  The primary government member will most likely be City/County public works departments that are included in the utility/contractor constituency.  It is our intention, early in the process, to assist the Regional CGA in defining the role of local and state governments in this forum.

CGA-Northwest Website- http://www.cga-northwest.org/