April 2015, Vol. 70, No.4
Features
Benchmark Report To Address Crossbore Solutions
The Cross Bore Safety Association (CBSA) is preparing a report titled Leading Practices for Cross Bore Safety to address underground utility crossbores, a continuing issue that affects utility providers, contractors and the general public.
Broadly defined, a crossbore is the unintentional intersection of two underground utilities. A crossbore is the penetration and passing through of any type of buried pipe by any other utility that can result in damage. Typically, the most serious type crossbore is natural gas lines passing through a sewer line creating the possibility that the gas line will be struck and damaged during the process of clearing a blockage.
Numerous crossbore explosions have resulted in millions of dollars of property damage, injuries and deaths. Although progress has been made to reduce and eventually limit crossbores, accidents continue to occur. Conservative estimates place the number of crossbores in the tens of thousands.
Development of Leading Practices for Cross Bore Safety is a major step forward in addressing both legacy crossbores and reducing the number of new ones.
“The need for developing a comprehensive guidance document has been recognized for a long while,” said CBSA President Mark Bruce. “Many industry organizations have been talking about and studying the issues. CBSA waited to initiate development of crossbore guidelines until the knowledge base was broad enough to put all issues in perspective.”
Data threshold
Bruce said there now is sufficient data to create a comprehensive document for those who are seeking practical solutions to crossbores.
“CBSA has tasked itself to build upon prior efforts and develop an effective set of crossbore safety guidelines,” said Bruce. “The hope is to have the Leading Practices document in final form in less than one year. The timeline is aggressive and it may take a little longer. However, it is important to move quickly and comprehensively to reduce risks that are present and prevent new ones from being created. There is a compelling need for more complete, up-to-date guidance to support the positive efforts already under way by other organizations and agencies.”
The CBSA’s goal for Leading Practices is to provide non-prescriptive guidance for those looking for assistance in addressing crossbores. The guidelines should speed the process for those tasked with finding effective methods of reducing risks of safety and property damage from crossbore incidents.
Leading Practices will cover six primary areas:
• Stakeholder awareness;
• New construction;
• Risk analysis;
• Legacy installations;
• Legal considerations; and
• Data management.
Stakeholder awareness includes public outreach and interface with organizations that can be affected by crossbores, including plumbers and contractors.
Steering committee
To oversee development of Leading Practices, the CBSA board of directors appointed a steering committee composed of: Greg Scoby, president, Cross Bore Safety Consultants; Mark Wallbom, vice president and director, Hydromax USA; and Annmarie Robertson, senior product manager, U.S. Department of Transportation, PHMSA.
Subcommittee chairpersons are: James Schofield, Enbridge Gas Distributions for stakeholder awareness; Mike Kemper, Canadian Utility Construction Co., new construction; Mark Wallbom, vice president and director, Hydromax USA, risk analysis; Brian Mattson, global accounts manager, Digital Control Inc., legacy; Mark Bruce, president of Can Clay Corp., legal; and Joe Purtell, director of software development, Cues, Inc., data management.
“These professionals,” Bruce said, “are recognized leaders dedicated to safety, representing regulatory, gas distribution, construction, manufacturing, utility services and engineering. We expect this broad diversity will lead to the best opportunity to create a comprehensive Leading Practices for Cross Bore Safety document.”
Industry inclusive
Preparations for developing the guidelines are impressive. CBSA sought input from more than three dozen associations, agencies, and educational groups for input. Bruce said inclusion of multiple associations and groups provides a broad-based platform for gathering information to develop comprehensive guidelines and direction.
“If we inadvertently missed anyone interested in participating, we ask that they contact us to get involved,” Bruce said. “Members of associations that would like to help can participate in Leading Practice without the cost of being a member of CBSA.” For details, go to http://www.crossboresafety.org.
Focusing on continuing needs does not overshadow genuine progress made by CBSA and other organizations that has improved crossbore recognition and prevention.
“Utilities are sending out awareness information in mailings, providing radio spots and getting crossbore safety information on television news broadcasts,” Bruce said. “Actively working with installing contractors, sewer utilities, plumbers and drain cleaning equipment rental stores are outreach efforts that are relatively inexpensive and increase support for crossbore safety by the general public. The Leading Practices effort builds on prior successes and will result in a more comprehensive document for those in a position to reduce cross bore risk.”
Bruce believes that Leading Practices for Cross Bore Safety will be a tool to create a thoughtful plan for reducing risk of crossbore incidents in a cost-effective manner.
“It builds upon knowledge from the last 15 years of crossbore risk reduction practices in the U.S. and Canada,” he continued. “It will provide ideas and options. It will allow a fast track to develop suitable risk-avoidance processes when risk reduction needs are identified. This structured process approach will lead to a high level of confidence that crossbore safety is being comprehensively addressed.
“All hands are on deck now. The awareness phase of crossbore risk is being converted to the action phase. Major progress is at our door step.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cross Bore Safety Association, (812) 719-4800, http://crossboresafety.org/
Who’s Responsible?
Attempting to place responsibility – that is, place the blame on someone else – has followed about every major crossbore accident resulting in property damage, serious injury or death.
So, who is responsible for a typical crossbore incident?
“Everyone,” said Mark Bruce, president of the Cross Bore Safety Association. “Homeowners need to be aware of potential danger and utility providers need to educate their customers. Many utilities now offer ‘Call Before You Clear’ services, and homeowners should only hire plumbing companies that use safe practices.
“Utility providers should require safe installation practices and regulators should provide fair adjustments for crossbore risk reduction processes.
“In many states, sewer utilities have maintained wide exemptions from requirements for location of the main or lateral sewers. Today that is considered outdated. Higher levels for sewer locating requirements are being introduced, and this is positive step.
“Homeowner and service customers, utility providers, contractors, regulators and plumbers all are part of the equation. Cooperative effort will lead to the best result, and Leading Practices is a major step toward that.”
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