Featured2

An invitation to D.I.R.T.

Dear Member,

You are cordially invited to attend an open meeting to discuss the CGA Damage Information Reporting Tool (D.I.R.T.) on June 23, 2010. The meeting will take place at the Hilton Hotel located at 1901 University Blvd NE in Albuquerque at 9:00 am. Please RSVP to 505-254-7315.

NMOC has entered into an agreement with the D.I.R.T. programmers and with the State of NM to modify the NM Virtual Private D.I.R.T. software to provide a tool to track excavation related damages and associated administrative actions and penalties. In addition, a discussion will be held to determine the level of interest of members in developing a tracking and reporting tool that will help members track damage reporting information and assist in claims management functions. The tool will have the advantage of employing the D.I.R.T. information as well as other incident related information that will help both the State of NM and NMOC members in determining and identifying root causes and document the extent of damages. The advantageous part of this process will be that the data will be entered and tracked only once for an incident, in a single database, and will be available to both the State of NM and NMOC members. The need to duplicate, reenter, or fill out multiple forms will be significantly reduced; information will be more accurate, and will tell the whole story, not a partial one. If the member tool is developed, it will provide the member with the same information the state has access to.

Why should NMOC work with the state on this issue? By helping the state have a reliable and accurate tool to track damages, the state will have better information to act upon. Part of the 811 Public Awareness Committee’s recommendation to the NMOC board of directors and their subsequent recommendation to the PRC was:

“NMOC should work with the Public Regulation Commission/Pipeline Safety Bureau (PRC/PSB) and develop a database to track underground facilities damages and associated enforcement activities.”

The PRC/PSB and NMOC have formed an alliance, not to be punitive in nature, but to provide information and education to help bring people to do a better job of preventing excavation damages. Yes, some people will not change their behavior without some other motive besides the law, but many will. This database will provide the best information to make the best decisions, and take the best course of action to improve damage prevention. Consider this for a moment, the data not only holds you accountable for what you are doing, but it also holds the state accountable for what it is doing. Good information provides for “due process” and minimizes political implications because the “record” is defensible in an appeals process. When the record contains all reported information from both parties involved, the record will stand for itself. Everyone benefits when good information is provided because they can help change processes, behaviors, etc., to improve the damage prevention effort.

Those who choose not to change their behavior will have a much harder time bluffing their way against empirical data that clearly shows poor performance and behavior.

These are the people who will ultimately be held accountable in a punitive format, not those who are trying to change for the better.

The record then is the most important item in identifying who, what, where, why, when, and how damages are occurring and what can be done to improve damage prevention. With only a dozen or so companies reporting damages currently, it becomes apparent that the process needs improvement in order to capture all the incidents and information. At the meeting we will explain in detail the proposed process to get all the data into the system. This includes how the state inspector will investigate the damage, how subsequent data related to a damage such as pictures, affidavits, drawings, statements, explanations, etc., may be entered into the record for consideration, how the state notice and hearing process will work, and how the findings will be entered. In addition to the record, the system will also provide a data resource to analyze trends, root causes, and other information to target specific education improvement efforts.

One of the key factors to consider is that all parties will be able to see what information the state inspector has on record for the case. You won’t be able to change any part of the record, but you can certainly add your comments and documentation to the record. Another nice feature will be that the New Mexico Virtual Private DIRT will automatically report anonymous data to the Common Ground Alliance D.I.R.T. North America system. So not only will the state data improve, but we can see how New Mexico compares with national trends as well.

At the meeting we will discuss how to use the tool. The tool will be easy to use, eliminate duplication of effort, and be cost effective. Members will be allowed to see their incident records, but not other member records. The claims management function will be simple but useful. Those companies already employing claims management systems may choose to use their current more sophisticated systems and just have access to the information.

There is much that has been accomplished in initiating this process, but much more needs to occur to bring this to its full implementation. The state tracking tool is under development. Rules & Regulations will need to be modified through a public hearing process and the development of the member’s tool for damage tracking needs your input. Your comments, concerns, and ideas are welcome. This process will move forward, but the best decisions will be made when we have your views for consideration.

This damage reporting tool is one of the most significant changes to ever take place in our state regarding damage prevention. It will set the stage for all we do in the future. Its value will be directly proportional to your input and support. “Damage prevention is a shared responsibility”; it’s not the state’s job, or the one call center’s job. We all have an embedded stake in improving safety and damage prevention in New Mexico. We all will benefit from our work and commitment to it.

It is not the easiest path, but it is the right thing to do!