Watch and Protect
Every year, Duke Energy responds to hundreds of natural gas emergencies in Ohio that occur when digging projects damage underground infrastructure.
Since 2018, the Damage Prevention team for Duke Energy’s Natural Gas Business Unit (NGBU) has been taking a proactive approach to help mitigate excavation damages with the Duke Energy Watch and Protect Program.
This program utilizes Damage Prevention Specialists (DP Specialists) and data from the 811 Ticket Risk Ranking Model to ensure that excavators are complying with state rules and regulations, and of Duke Energy to prevent and reduce excavation damages to the system.
How this works
Our DP Specialists perform several daily tasks to ensure the safety and reliability of our natural gas pipelines. They start their day off by reviewing a list of risk ranked 811 tickets that is generated by our 811 Ticket Risk Model. The specialists use these tickets to route their daily travel through the Ohio service territory, meeting with excavators along the way. During their meetings they address a litany of questions and concerns from excavators about safe digging practices, locate markings, positive response, and more. When needed, they notify the NGBU of immediate concerns that could threated any natural gas infrastructure. Of course, face-to-face conversations are always the preferred method of contact, but specialists are allowed to reach out to excavators via phone or text message.
Getting results
Since the inception of the Watch and Protect Program in 2018, not only have we reduced damage to our natural gas system, but we’ve developed stronger relationships with our local excavators and contractors. By working together, we’ll improve public safety and the integrity of buried infrastructure.
This article was written by:
Jim Collins – Manager, Natural Gas Damage Prevention
Jim.Collins@duke-energy.com
https://www.duke-energy.com
