Page 7 - Texas811 Magazine 2022 Issue 1

DPC of Texas News
¿Hablas español?
by Doug Meeks Texas811
Did you know roughly 50% of Texas construction workers have a Hispanic background and a third of Texans speak a language other than English at home? When Texas811 was incorporated in 1984, our Board of Directors committed to eliminate potential language barriers and provide means for all excavators to request locates of underground facilities. To that end, we have over thirty bilingual Damage Prevention Agents taking calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, expertly processing Spanish language locate requests.
Damage prevention outreach and building 811 awareness for those that don’t speak English, or who simply prefer speaking Spanish is increasingly important as Texas demographics evolve to include more Central Americans in the workforce. Consider reaching out to your Spanish speaking co-workers and friends and encourage them
to join Texas811 en Español social media and navigate
our website at www.texas811.org/enespanol for important information about damage prevention center operations, frequently asked questions, and even excavation safety videos. They can also download our Spanish language Excavation Safety Handbook which details regulatory requirements for safe excavation in the State of Texas. Perhaps the most beneficial educational outreach our bilingual Damage Prevention Managers provide is free Spanish language excavation safety training. We can provide these 1-hour training sessions directly to frontline construction workers in the field or virtually in the event of rainouts or Covid gathering restrictions. Contact us at dpm@texas811.org to schedule a free training session.
As a member and sponsor of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association, Texas811 staff provide damage prevention presentations at monthly RHCA Safety Council meetings held in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. In South Texas, Damage Prevention Manager Jesse Torres participates in HCA de San Antonio golf tournament and skeet shoot fundraisers. Prior to joining Texas811, Jesse served on the HCA de San Antonio
Board of Directors representing CPS Energy, one of Texas811’s largest gas distribution members. Our bilingual Damage Prevention Managers also participate in Damage Prevention Council of Texas/OSHA Alliance job site safety workshops as guest instructors.
Our commitment to promoting employee and public safety in the Spanish speaking construction community is absolute. If you have suggestions on how we can improve our Spanish language outreach or would like to take advantage of the services Texas811 has to offer, please contact us at DPM@texas811.org.
Don’t make a dig mistake
As an excavator, you have projects to complete and deadlines to meet. But when it comes to working around buried utilities, there’s always time to dig safe. One wrong move can lead to a cut utility line and that means costly project delays, fines and the potential for serious injuries.
At CenterPoint Energy, we’re committed to being your safe digging partner. That’s why we offer no-cost excavation safety training. Our training covers state and federal regulations, identification of underground facilities and excavation safety best practices, all so you can finish your work safely and on time.
To schedule your training session, email PublicAwareness@CenterPointEnergy.com.
2022, Issue 1
Texas811 • 5