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September 2020—Everyone's resources have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help prevent locate delays by pre-marking your proposed dig area in white and notifying MISS DIG 811 of your planned excavation with as much lead time as possible: up to 14 calendar days.
To learn more about Consumers Energy's response to COVID-19, click here. |
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| When You Use Trenchless Technology |
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| Using a directional drill, auger or other form of trenchless technology is like threading a large needle through a maze of existing underground utilities—while blindfolded! Subterranean smarts and safe drilling practices are keys to success. |
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| Order a free worker safety training kit on Consumers Energy's Work Safe website. |
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| Subterranean Smarts |
| It's always essential to notify MISS DIG 811 and have underground utility lines located and marked before beginning work, but you’ve got to take it a step further when you use trenchless technology: |
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Be sure to inform the operator about your equipment when you notify MISS DIG 811 for a dig ticket. |
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Pre-mark your proposed route with white paint, stakes and/or flags. This will help locators identify all utility lines in your excavation area. |
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Consider soil conditions. Many factors, including sandy soil or a shallow water table, will affect the depth at which you can safely drill without cave-in worries. |
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| Safe Drilling Practices |
| Take these steps during your drilling activities to confirm the location of marked utility lines and stay a safe distance away from them: |
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Dig potholes and visually monitor your bore head as you cross each buried utility. If you're using a hydrovac, use higher flow, less pressure and a spinner tip to prevent damage to underground facilities. |
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Keep a safe distance. Stay at least 3 feet away from all sides of any underground utility line. Watch the drill head cross utility lines during the initial bore and also during backreaming to ensure you maintain this minimum clearance. |
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Calibrate. Be sure to calibrate your bore head and locating device before every job. |
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Don't forget the backream. Remember, your locating device will monitor the bore head on the pilot pass, but may not be able to monitor the backream head. Plan accordingly if you have to expand the diameter of your bore before installation, and always observe the bore when crossing a buried facility during the backream. |
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Strike alert system. Ensure that the strike alert system on the drill is operational and is used during drilling operations to alert the operator of an electrical strike. |
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Keep other employees/pedestrians away from the drill machine while it is in operation. This will help prevent injury from rotating drill rods and other moving parts, and from surfaces made slippery by drilling fluids. |
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| Any time you make contact with an underground natural gas or electric utility, call Consumers Energy immediately at 800-477-5050. If the damage results in a dangerous situation, call 911 first and then Consumers Energy. |
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