PA One Calls: Coming From All Directions – Entech Roundtable

The new PA One Call regulations were implemented several years ago, but some Owners and Contractors still struggle to understand the changes, new responsibilities and what actions put them at risk. Recent in-house training with the folks at PA One Call spotlighted the importance of a group discussion to better understand how the engineer, designer, owner, contractor, and utility each approach underground work. We’ll bring all parties to the Round ’table’ so we can all work better and more safely with PA One Call. Panelists: Eric Moore, LO, PE (Entech Engineering) Paul McCarty (Entech Engineering) Norm Parrish (PA One Call) Doug Haupt (PPL) Matt Shapansky, PE (Allan Myers) Neil Derstine (Derstine Company) Some topics covered: What is PA One Call? What is your biggest issue with PA One Call and digging? Is there a difference in the reliability of utility markouts from the utility itself versus third-party location companies? What do designers struggle with? How deep can infrastructure be accurately located? What is the coolest thing you’ve ever found when you were digging? What is the current PUC position on the marking of abandoned utilities? Who makes violation reports? And when? We specify 3rd party line locating for our Contractors to complete during plant work because a client doesn't know where things are. The Contractor completes but also calls PA One Call. How should the authority comply? Are there any utilities that can refuse to locate their lines for "security" reasons? (i.e. high-pressure gas transmission mains) Originally recorded: February 9, 2022