2023 Damage Prevention Seminar
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV
The Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GOWV) is hosting its’ second annual Damage Prevention Seminar from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The agenda is packed with presenters that have excellent information to offer to any Utility Operator, Contractor, Producer/Operator or other entity that benefits in better understanding the current regulations and best practices concerning damage prevention. This educational opportunity is open to all operators of public service districts, municipal water and sewer utilities, gas operators and producers, contractors involved in any ground disturbance activities as well as others interested in learning more about the requirements and efforts in place regarding Damage Prevention of any asset or utility service. Continuing Education credits will be available for course attendance and participation where applicable.
The new Executive Director of WV 811, Jerry Poage, will kick off the day providing a comprehensive overview of the current 811 regulations and requirements in WV. Mr. Poage will also outline current initiatives and focus areas of WV 811 under his leadership. Joining Mr. Poage from WV 811 will be Roger Sockman, Assistant Executive Director Damage Prevention. Mr. Sockman will highlight the WV Damage Prevention Board’s roles and responsibilities as well as provide an overview of the Alleged Violation Report, AVR, process. Following WV 811’s presentation, Public Service Commission’s Director of Gas Pipeline Safety, Mary Friend, will provide an update about new PSC pipeline compliance requirements and a regulation overview with relation to Damage Prevention.
After lunch, Sam Hall, Vice President of the Damage Prevention Institute / Common Ground Alliance, will present on the newly developed Damage Prevention Institute and it’s current efforts and programs. Mr. Hall will also provide an overview of current Common Ground Alliance activities and Best Practices for Damage Prevention efforts.
The day will conclude with a session featuring Jim Verga, EastCom Associates, providing a presentation on Line Locating Principles and Best Practices. Mr. Verga will highlight several tools, tricks and techniques that can be utilized in locating buried assets to assist in Damage Prevention efforts.
To register and/or sponsor, go to https://gowv.com/events/2023-damage-prevention-seminar/ or call GOWV at 304-344-9867.
There is no cost to attend this seminar, but registration is required.
| Time | Topic/Description | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | Registration opens | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Welcome/overview/introduction | |
| 10:10 a.m. | Overview of current initiatives and overall guidance from WV 811 and WV DPB regarding responsibilities, best practices and available resources. | Jerry Poage, Executive Director WV 811 Roger Cox, WV DPB Roger Sockman, Asst. Executive Director WV 811 |
| 11:00 a.m. | Break | |
| 11:15 a.m. | Overview of new pipeline gathering line regulations and impact on damage prevention methods. Update and outline additional requirements and lessons learned. | Mary Friend, Director Gas Pipeline Safety Division WV PSC |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 1:00 p.m. | Introduction to new DPI and merger with Gold Shovel Standard. Outline available resources and best practices. | Sam Hall, Vice President Damage Prevention Institute / Common Ground Alliance |
| 2:00 p.m. | Break | |
| 2:15 p.m. | Line Locating Basics / Devices, covering line locating principles and summarizing some current devices utilized to assist in damage prevention. | Jim Verga, Eastcom Associates |
| 3:00 p.m. | Adjourn |
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