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The following job site
photographs are intended to demonstrate how the LINE ALERT Panel can
be used to assist in the safe excavation of an underground utility.
As always, KeiBerg must stress that the LINE ALERT Panel only be
used by trained and certified operators, and that all local and
job-site specific safe work practices be adhered to. The LINE
ALERT Panel, when used properly, is a tool that will significantly
reduce line strikes when underground utilities are being excavated,
but it is not a replacement for safe work practices.
Step 1:
Following the potholing/daylighting of the line and the proper
inspection of the LINE ALERT Panel, the Panel is placed into the
Insertion Tool and the yellow LINE ALERT Installed tape is
attached. The LINE ALERT Panel is now ready for installation.
Step 2:
Using the Insertion Tool with the Panel properly installed, the Tool
is inserted into the potholed/daylighted hole. Note that the saddle
tabs at the bottom of the Panel are folded out to ensure that the
Panel will be held in place when the hole is backfilled, and that
the tape is run up the Insertion Tool handle to reach the surface
and be visible after backfilling.
Step 3:
Once the Panel is seated on the line with the saddle tabs extended
outward, the hole is slowly backfilled by hand until the dirt
reaches the top of the Panel/top of the Insertion Tool head. A firm
tug will disengage the Insertion Tool from the Panel, leaving the
Panel securely in the ground on the line. Backfill the rest of the
hole by hand, leaving the LINE ALERT Installed tape above ground. A
wooden stake should be hammered into the ground to provide
additional evidence of the installation of a LINE ALERT Panel at
that location.
Step 4:
Using required excavation practices,
typically involving a track-hoe or other excavator, digging begins
centered at the LINE ALERT Installed tape. Excavation should
proceed with caution (for example, in four inch increments). The
LINE ALERT Panel will initially be struck in the GREEN (36 25
Markers) section. The portion of the Panel that is above the strike
line will shear off, leaving the balance of the Panel in the ground
as a guide for further measured excavation down to the buried
utility. The image below shows the exposed GREEN section of the
Panel.
Step 5:
The following close up image shows the
clear indication of the sheared off GREEN section of the LINE ALERT
Panel.
Step 6:
As excavation continues with four inch
increments being removed, the YELLOW section of the LINE ALERT Panel
(24 13 Markers) will be contacted and exposed.
Step 7:
The following close up image shows the
clear indication of the sheared off YELLOW section of the LINE ALERT
Panel, with YELLOW 17 Markers exposed. This means that, at this
point, you are 16 from the underground utility. How deep you
continue excavating should be based upon the safety guidelines that
are specific to your job. However, KeiBerg recommends
that you always stop excavating before the
RED section of the Panel is contacted.
Step 8:
The following close up image shows the exposure of the RED section
(12 1 Markers) of the LINE ALERT Panel just below the YELLOW
Marker section. This pass of the bucket sheared the portion of the
Panel between 11 (RED) and 14 (YELLOW). This represents
excavation closer to the buried utility than is recommended by
KeiBerg, and is illustrated here strictly for demonstration
purposes.
Step 9:
The last step, as with any traditional line crossing excavation, is
the exposing of the underground utility using hand digging.
PLEASE NOTE THAT
THESE IMAGES REPRESENT THE GENERAL PROCESS REGARDING USE OF THE LINE
ALERT PANEL AND ARE PROVIDED FOR DEMONSTRATION AND REFERENCE PURPOSES
ONLY. KEIBERG STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU ALWAYS FOLLOW AND
COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE SAFE WORK PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES
APPLICABLE TO EXCAVATIONS (ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT RELATE TO
BACK SLOPING OR SHORING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT VARY DUE TO SOIL TYPES)
AND MARKING STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND FACILITIES.
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