Leading Practices for Cross Bore Risk Reduction

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The Leading Practices Includes:
▪ 32 Chapters
▪ 88 Pages
▪ 23 Figures
▪ 33 References
▪ 12 Examples of notices

The Leading Practices for Cross Bore Risk Reduction Steering Committee demonstrated diversity of participation by inviting other stakeholder Associations, Public Agencies and Educators and individuals.

Discussion of the Consensus Driven Process for Elimination of Existing Cross Bores and Prevention of Future Cross Bores

Introduction
The purpose of the Cross Bore Safety Association is to bring people and organizations together to create comprehensive high quality standards, guidelines, best practices, means and methods, courses, training, instructional materials and other related resources for the education and training of owners, installers, regulators, users, inspectors, maintainers and others who can benefit from such so as to minimize the risk for injury, loss of life and property damage from utility cross bores in an effective and efficient manner.

The CBSA Board identified the need for and has approved the drafting of guidance documents to improve the efficiency, quality and implementation of activities related to creation avoidance and elimination of cross bores. CBSA's Leading Practice document provides underground utility operators, contractors and service providers guidance for minimizing utility conflicts. The involvement includes regulators, equipment manufacturers, academia, national industry trade organizations, consultants and contractors from both Canada and the U.S. The opportunity was given to assist in the creation of this document thereby addressing specific issues unique to their respective organization’s goals. All stakeholders were highly encouraged to participate in this effort to create a practice which minimizes the risk associated with trenchless construction.

Future Improvements to the Leading Practices
Future improvements will be expected to the Leading Practices. Your comments and participation to improve the document are encouraged.

History of the CBSA
The CBSA was formed in 2007 by individuals who recognized the risk associated with the trenchless installation of natural gas systems. The first documented instance of a gas cross bore was noted in 1976 in the form of a Safety Alert1 issued by the National Transportation Safety Board regarding an incident in Kenosha, Wisconsin involving two fatalities. Ironically the property owner did not have gas service. Shortly after the construction of the new gas system an adjacent resident experienced sewer lateral blockage. After an initial attempt to clear the blockage was unsuccessful, a second effort was conducted resulting in the rupture of the gas line which released gas into the sewer lateral. The cause of ignition was not identified. The Safety Alert recommended that the gas company: “Revise its construction standards to require that underground facilities be located accurately before construction and to provide protection for these facilities near boring operations.”

Goals
Cross bore risk reduction serves the public, protects the contractor and the utility from potential liability while maintaining the public trust and good will. CBSA is committed to making the process for reducing risk associated with cross bores more effective, efficient and easier to implement.