This 1-hour session details the requirements and exclusions of Texas Utilities Code Title 5 Chapter 251 – Underground Facility Damage Prevention & Safety Act and TAC Title 16 Chapter 18 – Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention Rules.

Gas & hazardous liquid pipeline damages continue to be an issue across Texas; so much so that the Railroad Commission of Texas implemented and is enforcing the regulatory requirements of Chapter 18. A significant percentage of these line strikes result from crews digging with heavy equipment within the immediate vicinity of a gas pipeline. Whether it is a new infrastructure installation, preventative maintenance or a facility repair, contractors can find themselves encroaching into the zone identified by the RRC as the “18-inch hand dig” zone around gas pipelines. This translates into citations and significant fines levied against utility operators, homeowners, professional contractors, and Class B water & wastewater operators, including municipal system operators.

Protecting all underground facilities from unnecessary/avoidable damage is paramount to the health and safety of residents. This session will take attendees through the entire one call process, from pre-construction planning meetings to damage investigation/post-incident reports. The session will discuss internal SOPs and incorporating damage prevention education into the municipality ROW permitting process.

Tina Sanders is a seasoned Damage Prevention Manager and EHS Professional with Texas811, bringing more than ten years of experience in damage prevention and excavation safety education to industry stakeholders. She has developed a strong understanding of the operational and safety challenges associated with underground infrastructure and ground disturbance activities, particularly where public and private utilities intersect.

Tina currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the North American Private Utility Association and the Damage Prevention Council of Texas. She also serves as an officer with the Dallas County Local Emergency Planning Committee and is an active member in several other county LEPCs, supporting emergency preparedness and public safety coordination initiatives throughout the region.
She is actively engaged with numerous industry organizations dedicated to infrastructure protection, construction safety, and utility coordination, including the Texas Gas Association, Utility Contractors Association of Texas, Independent Electrical Contractors, American Public Works Association, TEXO, and the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers.

Through her leadership roles and professional involvement, Tina is committed to fostering industry collaboration, sharing practical field knowledge, and supporting initiatives that strengthen safety, accountability, and coordination in excavation practices and underground utility management.