Podcast
Questions and Answers
What prompted Prestige Pipelaying JV Ltd (PPL) to focus on improving detection and excavation methods in 2024?
What prompted Prestige Pipelaying JV Ltd (PPL) to focus on improving detection and excavation methods in 2024?
- An increase in utility damages, particularly high-voltage cable strikes. (correct)
- A decrease in project timelines, necessitating faster excavation techniques.
- A new government regulation requiring more detailed excavation protocols.
- An internal audit revealed inefficiencies in the excavation process.
What was a key action taken by PPL in September 2024 to address the rising concerns about utility damages?
What was a key action taken by PPL in September 2024 to address the rising concerns about utility damages?
- Implementing mandatory overtime for excavation teams to expedite project completion.
- Outsourcing excavation work to third-party contractors with specialized equipment.
- Investing in a new fleet of high-powered excavators to increase excavation speed.
- Beginning monthly Underground Service Avoidance Group meetings. (correct)
According to the data presented, what trend was observed from 2021 to 2023 regarding the number of employees and hours worked at Prestige Pipelaying JV Ltd?
According to the data presented, what trend was observed from 2021 to 2023 regarding the number of employees and hours worked at Prestige Pipelaying JV Ltd?
- Little to no change in the number of employees and hours worked.
- A vast growth in the number of employees contributing to more hours worked. (correct)
- A decrease in the number of employees, leading to an increase in individual hours worked.
- A decrease in the number of employees and a corresponding decrease in hours worked.
What issue related to complacency and assumptions was identified as a concern during the monthly review meetings at PPL?
What issue related to complacency and assumptions was identified as a concern during the monthly review meetings at PPL?
What specific issue was identified regarding the issuance of dig permits by Principal Contractor's Site Managers?
What specific issue was identified regarding the issuance of dig permits by Principal Contractor's Site Managers?
What issue was identified regarding underground services?
What issue was identified regarding underground services?
What is one of the primary goals outlined by Prestige Pipelaying JV Ltd to improve excavation safety?
What is one of the primary goals outlined by Prestige Pipelaying JV Ltd to improve excavation safety?
What specific training initiative was undertaken by PPL to improve utility drawing interpretation for Site Managers and Team Leaders?
What specific training initiative was undertaken by PPL to improve utility drawing interpretation for Site Managers and Team Leaders?
What equipment did PPL trial to improve underground utility detection?
What equipment did PPL trial to improve underground utility detection?
When did a representative from Sygma attend one of PPL's meetings to demonstrate the GPR equipment?
When did a representative from Sygma attend one of PPL's meetings to demonstrate the GPR equipment?
What additional costs must be considered on top of the initial cost for each option?
What additional costs must be considered on top of the initial cost for each option?
What benefit did implementing a GPR create?
What benefit did implementing a GPR create?
What did the Head of HSEQ state?
What did the Head of HSEQ state?
What date was the trial of GPR and training completed on equipment?
What date was the trial of GPR and training completed on equipment?
What was a key element that was included during a Toolbox Talk?
What was a key element that was included during a Toolbox Talk?
What specialised service did PPL work on?
What specialised service did PPL work on?
What task is essential within the business that our highly experienced teams are involved in every day?
What task is essential within the business that our highly experienced teams are involved in every day?
How many utility damages did PPL have last year?
How many utility damages did PPL have last year?
What risks do the incidents pose?
What risks do the incidents pose?
What did some operatives at PPL admit to?
What did some operatives at PPL admit to?
What is one of PPL's primary goals?
What is one of PPL's primary goals?
What refresher training did PPL provide?
What refresher training did PPL provide?
Who did PPL have discussions with regarding current dig permits?
Who did PPL have discussions with regarding current dig permits?
What was needed to design and write to support the use of the equipment?
What was needed to design and write to support the use of the equipment?
When will the GPR be bought, surveys to be completed?
When will the GPR be bought, surveys to be completed?
Flashcards
Excavation Risks
Excavation Risks
Excavating remains a potentially hazardous task, capable of causing serious harm, despite its routine nature.
2024 Utility Damage Increase
2024 Utility Damage Increase
The company experienced a rise in utility damages, notably involving high-voltage cable strikes, posing risks and leading to project setbacks and increased expenses.
Underground Service Avoidance Group
Underground Service Avoidance Group
Monthly Underground Service Avoidance Group meetings began to identify and rectify shortcomings in detection and excavation methods.
High voltage cable damages
High voltage cable damages
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Complacency in utility location
Complacency in utility location
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Remote permit issuance: risk
Remote permit issuance: risk
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Inadequate Detection Equipment Use
Inadequate Detection Equipment Use
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Difficulty identifying some underground materials.
Difficulty identifying some underground materials.
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Primary Safety Goals
Primary Safety Goals
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Improved Utility Drawing Interpretation
Improved Utility Drawing Interpretation
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Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
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Benefit of more ground surveys
Benefit of more ground surveys
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Ineffective safety briefings
Ineffective safety briefings
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Effective safety communications
Effective safety communications
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Study Notes
- Prestige Pipelaying JV LTD conducted a review on excavation safety, presented by Sasha Mueller in February 2025
Agenda
- Introduction
- Overview
- Year on year data
- Data
- Timeline
- Summary
Introduction
- Prestige Pipelaying JV Ltd (PPL) specializes in utilities services under various contracts
- Services include old gas main replacement, new main laying, new connections, and reinstatement
- Excavation is essential but hazardous, with the potential to cause serious harm despite experienced teams
- The company experienced 40 utility damages, including 12 cable strikes with 3 high-voltage electric cables last year
Overview
- PPL experienced an increase in utility damages, particularly concerning high-voltage cable strikes in 2024
- Incidents pose serious risks and can lead to project delays, reputational damage, and high costs
- Monthly Underground Service Avoidance Group meetings began in September 2024
- The goal of the meetings was to proactively improve detection and excavation methods and to address identified concerns
Year on Year Data
- Data from 2021-2023 shows a growth in employees and hours worked
- There were no high-voltage cable damages until 2024 with 3 occurrences
- Graphs showcase frequency rates comparing hours worked vs number of damages
Investigation: Key Findings
- Monthly review meetings identified areas of concern
- Complacency & Assumptions included operatives assuming utility locations without site surveys, being stuck in a mindset, and taking utility drawings too literally
- Principal Contractor's Site Managers remotely issued dig permits without proper on-site reviews of markings, plans, and site conditions
- Inadequate Use of Detection Equipment revealed teams not sufficiently using CAT & Genny equipment
- Difficulty Identifying Certain Underground Services, due to the material some utilities are hard to locate
Primary Goals
- Ensure everyone returns home safely daily
- Increase proactiveness to find problems earlier
- Reduce underground service strike incidents
- Become a benchmark local delivery partner
- Improve safety culture and mindset of the business
How to Improve
- Plans and Process training with Sygma Solutions to improve utility drawing interpretation
- Develop a change management flowchart
- CAT and Genny refresher training for team leaders
- Discussions with the Principal Contractor regarding current dig permits
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) trial
Investing in GPR
- Investigated GPR by seeking prices, discussing maintenance, and planning a cost-benefit report, inviting Sygma Solutions to demonstrate equipment on January 31st, 2025
Cost analysis
- The options reviewed for locating equipment included the following options:
- Hire, initial cost of £350-£450/week and £995 + VAT per person for training costing £14,000 over 40 weeks with no long-term asset ownership
- Buy (Leica DS2000), initial cost of £21,000 with £995 + VAT per person for training with no free training or trial
- Buy (MALA Easy Locator Core - Sygma), initial cost of £13,880 with free training for 2 people and a free 7-day trial
- Each option has additional costs of a £50.00 Ofcom license fee and a £395.00 + VAT service and calibration fee
Additional Benefits
- Benefits from GPR and more enhanced ground surveys were created to promote opportunity and equality
- In consideration are:
- Individuals with certain disabilities
- Individuals who are not fluent in English
- Individuals looking for less physically demanding job
Company Personnel Opinions on Investment
- Positive senior staff thoughts towards investment in a ground-penetrating radar
Timeline
- September 2024: USAG monthly meetings began
- December 2024: Plans & Processes training booked, whiteboards agreed
- January 2025: Paul from Sygma attended and demonstrated the GPR
- March 2025: Trial of GPR and training completed on equipment
- April 2025: GPR bought, surveys to be completed
Toolbox Talk
- A toolbox talk was created and delivered to all gas teams, introducing the new equipment, along with UK Power Networks (UKPN) and the Energy Networks Association (ENA) materials
- This talk reiterated the importance of safe digging practices using videos in site safety posters with QR codes
- The goal was to encourage people to use skills, experience, and equipment safely
- Early year data show only two utility damages
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