Features

Accountability: The elephant in the room

Most industry stakeholders agree that greater accountability within the 811 system will help protect underground facilities and, more importantly, enhance the safety of the citizens of Mississippi.

“I think one way to describe the issue could be the expression, ‘the elephant in the room,’” said Mitch Tomlinson, Gas and Water Assistant Superintendent at Holly Springs Utility Department. “I think we all know accountability is an issue, but it’s difficult to get everyone to agree on a solution, so we don’t spend much time talking about it.”

But Tomlinson is one who is working for more accountability, and his 22 years with the City of Holly Springs has given him first-hand experience with the issue.

“Last year, the city condemned a few houses and awarded the demolition contract to the lowest bidder,” said Tomlinson. “The day after the first house was torn down, we received a call from a neighbor reporting he smelled gas.” When the Holly Springs gas personnel arrived, they found gas escaping from a service line just below the surface of the ground.

“We guessed the contractor ripped out the gas meter since it was connected to the house, and it broke the line at the riser. Gas had been blowing at 50 PSI for nearly 20 hours.” After repairs were made, Tomlinson said the contractor was given an invoice for the cost of repairs and the lost product.

“By the time he paid for everything, we figured he did all that work for free,” said Tomlinson. “I asked him why he didn’t call Mississippi 811 before he started the work, and he said he wasn’t digging, he was just tearing the house down.”

According to Tomlinson, the contractor was not argumentative even after being presented with the bill. “He understood that he should have called, but I think what bothered me the most about the whole incident was the statement he made that seemed to sum up his attitude. He said, ‘Well, that’s what I have insurance for.’ And I’ve thought a lot about that ever since. If I were an insurance company, I don’t think I would want to insure that kind of attitude. That’s simply a claim waiting to happen.”

Mitch Tomlinson, Holly Springs

Tomlinson said the incident could have been a lot worse. The condemned house was located on the highest point in the neighborhood so the escaping gas was going into the atmosphere and not collecting near or in another home. “Yes, we were lucky. No one was hurt, and no property was damaged, but we lost a lot of product.”

Some say the incident could have been prevented if the contractor had been better educated of the dangers and the requirements of calling. “What I know is the contractor called before he demolished the other homes,” said Tomlinson. “We got his attention, and we didn’t try to destroy him or his business in the process. My main concern is safety, and we have to hold each other accountable for what we do or fail to do.”

Tomlinson is willing to discuss the accountability issue, but he doesn’t just participate in the dialog, he drives it. He is the chairperson for the Marshall County Damage Prevention Coordinating Council (DPCC).

Jerry Kennemur, Damage Prevention Coordinator for MS 811’s North Region, works closely with Tomlinson to encourage participation in the DPCC meetings and develop the meeting agendas. Working together, Kennemur and Tomlinson have been very successful in getting contractors to the meetings. Tomlinson believes very strongly in the need to discuss the issues, and the meetings provide opportunities for input and a forum for addressing the challenges that face all stakeholders.

“I realize there are two sides to everything, and that’s one reason we have our meetings,” Tomlinson said. “I’m an operator, and when my facilities are damaged, I want to eat someone’s lunch. But, on the other side, if I fail to do my job, then I need to be held accountable for not making the work site as safe as possible.”

Safety is the issue that drives Tomlinson to be more involved in the dialog. He stressed that accountability is key to creating a safer environment for excavators and the general public. “Just give me the chance to protect my facilities and the public. Call 811 before you dig, and if you hit a line, let me know about it. Even if you didn’t cut it, let me have an opportunity to check it out. I’m not just trying to find a way to bill you; I want to work with you to keep everyone safe.”

In Tomlinson’s mind, that’s real accountability and the first step toward getting the elephant out of the room.