Page 8 - Alabama 811 Magazine 2021 Issue 2

Wallace Jones
by Wallace Jones
Director, Gas Pipeline Safety Alabama Public Service Commission
The Importance of Correct Mapping/GIS Systems
Most of us don’t ever think much about mapping/GIS systems that are used by utilities. That is coming more and more to the forefront now since we have the new “Alabama Damage Prevention Authority” (Authority) and the possibility of fines from not having accurate, up-to-date mapping systems that are used in the locating of underground facilities. Section 37-15-2 (1) of the Code of Alabama 1975 (the “Code”) is entitled Approximate Location of Underground Facilities and states as follows: “Information about an operator’s underground facilities which is provided to a person by an operator and must be accurate to within 18 inches measure horizontally from the outside edge of each side of such operator’s facility, or a strip of land eighteen inches either side of the operator’s
field mark or the marked width of the facility plus eighteen inches on each side of the marked width of the facility.” Not a lot of room for error with that provision of the Code.
It is also worth noting that §37-15-6 (a)(1) of the Code states as follows: “Each operator served with notice in accordance with Section 37-15-4, with underground facilities in the area, SHALL (emphasis added) mark or cause to be marked or otherwise provide the approximate location of the operator’s underground facilities by marking.” That is why it is so important for operators to have accurate mapping/GIS systems in place for accurate locating of their facilities.
I can only relate to the locating issues of gas operators in Alabama where
it is becoming a very important topic because of an emphasis by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). PHMSA
is taking a much more in-depth look at excavation damages that are a result of missed locates, or inaccurate locates due to mapping/GIS issues. Natural gas operators are required to report to PHMSA each year on the number of and causes of excavation damages. These are a serious concern for PHMSA, and they are questioning
the natural gas operators when they report damages due to locating errors. They are especially questioning them when they report the damage is due to mapping/GIS issues. When mapping/ GIS issues are reported in the field, how long does it take the operator to correct the information on their systems?
How many damages per year does the operator have related to mapping/GIS issues? Those are some of the areas PHMSA is focusing on.
It all really goes back to safety. Anytime there is a damage from excavation,
no matter the type of utility, there
is the possibility of injury, damaged equipment, and death. And if this is due to mapping, why were the maps
not updated? Why did the locator
not have accurate maps to detail the exact location of the facilities they were locating? Why did the owner/ operator not assist the contract locator with a difficult location? Electric
lines can cause electrocution injuries; damaged telecommunication cables
can knock out the entire 911 system for a city or county; and there is always
the possibility of a fire or explosion if
a natural gas facility is damaged. By virtue of these risks, the accuracy of the mapping/GIS systems for any operator with underground facilities is essential to the daily operations of their system.
As discussed above, accurate mapping/ GIS systems are very important for the underground facility owners to maintain. Procedures should be
in place to update and correct any discrepancies as quickly as possible
to ensure accuracy. Incorrect mapping/GIS systems should not be
an acceptable reason for excavation damages. It is too important to each person conducting excavations in this state to have accurate locations on
the underground facilities. We want every worker to go home safely each day. If the underground facilities are not correctly marked, that might not be possible. Safety should be a top priority for every operator and keeping the mapping/GIS systems up-to-date and accurate will go a long way in making this become a reality. Let’s practice safety every day!
6 • Alabama 811
2021, Issue 2