Safety

Safety

Safety is Job 1

It’s important that horizontal directional drilling (HDD) contractors and operators follow best practices and procedures on the job to keep utility strikes to a minimum.

At Mid Ohio Utilities, we follow these best practices to help protect underground utilities and keep everyone safe on the job.

Plan and Prepare

A little time spent on planning and preparation can prevent problems that could take days, even weeks to fix. We take the time to prepare the crew and prepare the job site to identify existing utilities.

A successful job requires a knowledgeable, responsible and protected crew. A drill operator relies on the tracker on the ground using guidance equipment to provide feedback to successfully drill around obstructions. Whereas, the tracker relies on the operator to use the recommendations and keep him out of harm’s way.

Additionally, there is technology available that helps our operators plan bores prior to getting on the job site, and then monitor the bore progress from the operator seat while drilling. These technologies work to provide both the tracker and the operator with the same guidance equipment data.

Locate Existing Utilities

A large percent of damages that occur across America typically result from inadequate efforts to locate underground utilities or failure to notify the proper utility owners. Fortunately, the underground construction industry has introduced valuable tools and services that, if used properly, can significantly reduce the risk of utility damage during HDD jobs.

1. Call 811

One-call (811) must be contacted to coordinate utility locations with companies that participate in the One-call program, in addition to contacting all utilities owners that do not participate in the program. Our job managers call in advance to allow time for the utility owners to properly mark their utilities.

2. Verify locates

Some utility companies only locate to the utility meter, which may leave some privately-owned lines unmarked. If excavating around these lines, additional provisions must be made to locate them. Mid Ohio Utilities uses a locator to identify these lines and to verify the utilities locates.   

3. Use a vacuum excavator to expose lines

Vacuum excavators not only improve material and fluid clean up after drilling operations; these machines can be used for soft excavation as well. While locating equipment is crucial for finding approximate locations of underground utilities, vacuum excavators can effectively expose utilities through potholing or daylighting. Providing a clear view of the utilities allows our operators to visually verify the exact location and to watch bore crossings to ensure no damage occurs.

Track the Drill

While drilling, the drill head must be tracked at least every full length of pipe, and more often depending on underground congestion in the area. Each tracking location is marked and progress is checked to ensure the bore is staying on the intended path.

Any utility strike has the potential to affect thousands, with potentially fatal consequences and expensive penalties. By understanding and applying these best practices, our operators and crews can significantly reduce the risks associated with HDD jobs.

EXPERIENCE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Mid Ohio Utilities has been in the business of solving our customer's underground utility needs for well over a decade.

Mid Ohio Utilities Service Area

Headquartered in Ohio, Mid Ohio Utilities can be found working on drilling and boring projects throughout the Midwest Region of the United States.

Whether the project is performed for commercial, municipal or residential areas - our services, equipment and qualifications are here to get the job done. 

FAQs

  • Horizontal Directional Drilling or HDD is a trenchless technology that allows a customer to solve their underground utility job without an open trench cut. It is safer, faster, more cost effective and requires minimal disruption compared to other forms of underground utility installation. With our drills, we bore into the ground and navigate the rods using our drill head locators to create the hole where the pipe will lay. Once we reach the other end of the hook up, we pull the pipe back through the hole. We can either hook up the pipe or you can. This is entirely up to you.

  • Yes we are! We can do Electro, Sidewall, Butt and Socket fusing. Just let us know what your underground utility problem is and we can assist you in in solving it.

  • Yes we can. This is usually done quickly.

  • We mainly pull HDPE, PVC, Steel, and Ductile Iron but we can also pull many other types of pipe. Let us know the details of your job and we can work to solve your issue.

  • With over 75 years combined drilling experience, Mid Ohio Utilities focuses on the project or resolution necessary to meet or exceed your needs.