From the Desk of Scott Sasajima 
 
Welcome to the first issue of the Texas811 Excavator Newsletter. Our purpose is to share news with you that can enhance how you do your job and help you get to know Texas811 better. Look for a new newsletter each quarter where we'll share best practices and Texas811's role in damage prevention.
And let me introduce myself. I'm Scott Sasajima, the new Director of Operations at Texas811. I've met many of you during my 17 years at Texas811, and I look forward to working with all of you in the coming years. Feel free to contact me directly if there is anything Texas811 can do to help foster safe digging in Texas.

Sincerely,

Scott Sasajima
Director of Operations
Texas811

This is the first issue of the  Texas811 Excavator Newsletter.  We'll include content relevant to excavators in Texas; 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.
Master damage prevention with Texas811's new online training course!

Enhance your organization and your personal knowledge by gaining insight into industry best practices and excavation laws in Texas.

Approved by Gold Shovel Standard, Texas811 and The Damage Prevention Academy have partnered to offer utility operators and contractors online training. This training is offered exclusively through Texas811 and covers the Gold Shovel Standard, Texas state laws, rules, regulations and industry best practices.

Take advantage of this 2 1/2 hour, self-paced course now.
 
 
For more information please contact Jay Stephens with Damage Prevention Academy at Jay@DamagePreventionAcademy.com or find more details at www.Texas811.Training.

Mock Line Strikes Return for 2018
 
Mock Line Strike illustrates through a vivid live scenario why it's so important for excavators to call 811 before they dig. The events show what happens to an excavating crew when 811 is either not called, markings are ignored, or the crew believes they don't have time to wait for markings to be done. What you see at a Mock Line Strike can change your opinion of the importance of calling 811.
 
Over 30 of the Mock Line Strike events are set for Texas in 2018.
 
Please click HERE for a preview of a Mock Line Strike.
 
Upcoming Mock Line Strikes will be held in
Plano March 3,
Corpus Christi April 11,
Katy April 13,
Laredo May 1,
Mercedes May 3,
Del Rio May 10,
HempsteadMay 16 and
Bryan  May 18. 

Look for another list in the next excavator newsletter.
 
The full schedule and updates can be found here: www.diggingtexas811.com . You can also use this website to sign up to attend.
 
We encourage you to attend a demonstration near you! You won't forget this true-to-live experience, and remember, there is no charge to attend these events.
 
We hope to see you there.
Upcoming Events

 
RRC Adopts New Dig Laws

The Railroad Commission of Texas' damage prevention rules require anyone planning to dig deeper than 16 inches in Texas to call 811 before digging to get those lines marked or flagged to prevent damage.
 
RRC authority had previously covered only intrastate lines - those originating and ending in Texas. Now, thanks to House Bill 1818 the RRC now has authority over damage incidents on interstate pipelines passing through Texas as well as its previous authority over intrastate pipelines.
 
Additionally, effective immediately, excavators are required to notify the pipeline operator by calling the 811 notification center as soon as possible but no later than one hour after an incident [damage or strike to underground pipeline] occurs. Excavators are also required to call 911 if any natural gas or other product is released when an underground pipeline is struck.
 
The new rules are designed to protect the public from potentially hazardous incidents if underground natural gas or hazardous liquid pipelines are struck by excavation.
 
The deadline for pipeline operators and excavators to file a damage report with the RRC is now 30 days, up from the previous 10 days.
 
More information on these new rule requirements can be found here , under "Chapter 18.  Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention."

2018 Holiday Schedule

We have added days to the 2018 Holiday Schedule to be in compliance with Texas state holidays, which are defined HERE in Sec. 662.003.

We will not count the dates  listed here when calculating the 48-hours for Start Date/Time.
If you have any questions regarding this please email info@texas811.org.