Page 7 - TN811 issue 2

Response (PR) after the locate is done. The most common responses are Located Facilities Marked or Clear No Conflict. This is good practice because PR is the utility member’s communication to the excavator. I had to ask Danny what
the most locate requests he had done in one day, he said 35 locate tickets that he marked gas lines. Locating is not for the faint of heart. Danny mentioned to me some of the obstacles and dangers he faces out in the field as a locator. From the changing weather to the terrain, wildlife, traffic, and of course people’s pets. Danny said, “One of the precautions you must take is just paying attention to your environment and wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).” Despite all of that, Danny told me he really enjoys being outside working. “I just couldn’t be cooped up; I like being outside in the fresh air.”
With all of Danny’s knowledge and experience, I asked him to give a few pointers on what has made him successful as a locator and information to share with other locators:
• Learn and soak up as much information as possible.
• Know your system. A good way of doing that is walking the system during a leak survey.
• Work Safely. Wear PPE and pay attention to your environment.
• Spread the 811 message. Educate contractors that there is no piggybacking on dig tickets. Each company must have its own dig ticket.
When Danny started 40
years ago, their customer
base was around 2,000
people and now it’s around
6,500 people.
When interviewing Danny for the magazine article, I really started to understand how much HCUD’s customer base has grown. When Danny started 40 years ago, their customer base was around 2,000 people and now it’s around 6,500 people. Danny even mentioned that more and more people are using the 811 system by calling or entering tickets. Danny was even complimented by David Wiser, General Manager for HCUD. David said, “Danny is an invaluable member of our team at HCUD. We rely on his 40+ years of experience and expertise on a daily basis. We are so grateful that he is the type of employee that is always willing to share his vast knowledge of our system with his coworkers and provide training in the task of pipeline locating. We wish him and his wife Cathy the very best in his future retirement!” Danny, thanks for all you have done in damage prevention for the Waverly area. I hope you get to enjoy some fishing in your retirement. These reasons and others are why Danny Hooper was chosen as our Damage Prevention MVP. And remember, always Call or Click 811 before you dig!
Do you know a Damage Prevention MVP that deserves recognition? Send Jason an email at jfryer@tennessee811.com.
2023, Issue 2
Tennessee811 • 5