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THE DIRT – December 2022

What You Missed at the 2022 MWDPTC!

The 2022 MWDPTC, hosted by Indiana 811 in idyllic French Lick, Ind., was bigger than ever, with more than 630 Midwestern stakeholders attending the region’s premier damage prevention event. 

To kick off the week, attendees networked with other industry professionals while horseback riding through the scenic Indiana countryside, golfing at the world-renowned Donald Ross golf course and practicing their aim at the Clay Pigeon Shoot. The fun continued in the bustling exhibit hall at the Wild West Welcome Reception, where attendees showcased their western pride during the Best Dressed in the West Costume Contest, where three festive winners were crowned!

On Thursday and Friday, MWDPTC attendees advanced their knowledge of damage prevention and safety through our stellar lineup of educational sessions, the most in conference history, which were led by industry subject matter experts who shared their expertise on topics including trenching safety, workplace behavior and psychology, the ins and outs of Exactix web ticket entry, damage prevention best practices, cybersecurity threats, and more. Session presentations are now available on the conference website.

Session highlights included:

  • “Good Dirt” Trenching and Excavation Safety, in which Bryan Thais discussed the importance of understanding and adhering to OSHA regulations when engaging in trenching and excavation activities. 
  • Hit Kits: Your Tool To Document A Damage, where experts from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, HRP Construction Inc., and Rhino Marking and Protection Systems shared an overview of how to use Rhino Hit Kits and the advantages of the product.
  • Subsurface Utility Engineering Updates, where Dr. Tom Iseley described the importance of standard guidelines that aid in the identification and assessment of risks when locating underground utilities.

Attendees also heard from two phenomenal general session speakers, including our keynote speaker, highly decorated military veteran and leadership expert Dr. Damon Friedman, and our featured speaker, astronaut, military veteran, and author Colonel Mike Mullane. 

Make sure to save the date for next year’s conference, taking place the week of November 13, 2023, at the French Lick Resort!

Outdoor Decoration Safety Tips 

With the holiday season upon us, businesses and homeowners alike will be decorating their landscapes and yards with inflatables, lights, signs, and more. However, there are always risks and safety concerns that arise when working with electrical cords and circuits.

The Indiana Department of Labor (IDOL) recommends the following basic electrical concepts be addressed for safety:

  • Do not overload circuits, extension cords or outlets.
  • Keep the number of light strands to less than three (3) plugged in series.
  • Connect the power to ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
  • Ensure that the lights and displays are meant for outdoor use.
  • Try not to have the systems running during sleep hours. Either turn them off when retiring or have them on a timer to shut off automatically.
  • Inspect the light cords before use.
  • Protect the electrical connections from the elements by using electrical tape or placing them in a weather-protected box.

Did you know that staking your festive outdoor inflatables, tents and signs into the ground is considered digging under the Indiana Dig Law? 

Always remember to contact 811 before beginning any project involving digging to keep your lights shining all season long and avoid catastrophe. More IDOL safety recommendations can be found here. 

2022 Holiday Schedule 

As we approach the holidays, remember to account for them as you plan your work schedule. 

Upcoming Accounts Receivable Changes Effective Jan. 1

Indiana 811 has been reviewing current processes and making every effort to maximize and streamline our Accounts Receivable invoicing. In September the Indiana 811 Board approved the following, which will go into effect beginning January 1, 2023: 

1. Credit card transaction fees will be passed along to the Member at 3.50% per total transaction.

  • If Members want to continue paying via credit card, Purchase Orders will need to be updated accordingly.
  • To avoid these fees Members can convert to an ACH payment at no charge.
     

2. Paperless billing.

  • Members must provide a valid email address by no later than December 31, 2022.
  • Send updated email addresses to: [email protected]  – (include your customer ID # or your company name). 
     

3. Members who receive quarterly billing and average 50 tickets or more per month will be permanently switched to monthly billing.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact Rhonda Mercer at [email protected] or Tracey Motley at [email protected].

American Petroleum Institute Updated Recommended Practice 

The American Petroleum Institute recently released an updated standard for pipeline public awareness programs. Recommended Practice (RP) 1162, Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators, 3rd Edition, establishes minimum requirements and offers updated guidance for operators of pipeline and storage systems that are required by federal or state pipeline safety laws to implement public awareness programs. The revised 3rd Edition offers several benefits, including flexibility for existing social/digital platforms as well as up and coming technologies, increased frequency of communication between key stakeholders, the clarifications of certain terms that were not previously defined and more.

INPAA Pipeline Safety Training Upcoming Meetings 

The INPAA’s Pipeline Safety Training meetings serve as a valuable resource for first responders and excavators to connect with local pipeline and gas distribution operators, network with fellow first responders, excavators and operators, plan a coordinated response and receive updated operator and emergency contact information. The meetings also offer emergency officials and excavators the chance to earn two CEUs for attending a two-hour training session. 

Upcoming Pipeline Safety Training meeting dates for first responders during the month of January can be found below:  

  • January 9, 2022: Shipshewana 5:30 p.m. EST
  • January 10, 2022: Plymouth 5:30 p.m. EST
  • January 11, 2022: Michigan City 12:00 p.m. CST
  • January 12, 2022: Merrillville 12:00 p.m. CST
  • January 17, 2022: Lafayette 5:30 p.m. EST
  • January 18, 2022: Kokomo 12:00 p.m. EST
  • January 19, 2022: Wabash 5:30 p.m. EST
  • January 23, 2022: Fort Wayne 5:30 p.m. EST
  • January 24, 2022: Muncie 5:30 p.m. EST
  • January 25, 2022: Indianapolis 12:00 p.m. EST
  • January 26, 2022: Danville 5:30 p.m. EST
  • January 31, 2022: Covington 5:30 p.m. EST

Upcoming Pipeline Safety Training meeting dates for excavators during the month of January can be found below:

  • January 9, 2022: Shipshewana 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 10, 2022: Plymouth 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 11, 2022: Michigan City 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 12, 2022: Merrillville 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 17, 2022: Lafayette 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 18, 2022: Kokomo 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 19, 2022: Wabash 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 23, 2022: Fort Wayne 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 24, 2022: Muncie 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 25, 2022: Indianapolis 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 26, 2022: Danville 8:00 a.m. EST
  • January 31, 2022: Covington 8:00 a.m. EST