Training for Adjusters and Contractors
UCS has a goal, to not just resolve the current loss, but to also educate the contractors or adjusters on how to handle utility claims.UCS has several contractor tool box talks related to how to avoid damages, the proper investigation techniques to use, the correct photos to take after a loss and questions to ask the utility company’s own investigator when on site.
Adjuster training is crucial in resolving losses. Knowing the terminology, equipment and the typical areas where a claim can be inflated is critical when adjusting these specialized losses. UCS has a 1 hour class titled Handling Utility Claims, specifically geared to educate the claims adjuster to understand these losses and how to handle them properly in the future. This 1 hour class is Continuing Education in the state of Oklahoma and can be submitted for approval in other states if services are needed.
Example Investigation Case
The top photo shows the “Mark” post placed incorrectly. This locate mark is for a single line and the Locator appears to have added some hash marks on each side. This can be confusing and does NOT comply with the Common Ground Alliance Best Practices 13.0 under Appendix B Uniform Color Code and Marking Guide – Guidelines for Operator Facility Field Delineation.The bottom photo shows the “Mark” post correcly placed at center of actual Locate Mark and not placed on the irrelevant hash mark to the side.
The “strip of land two (2) feet on either side of such underground facilities*” Tolerance Zone is measured by the ruler. The actual locate mark placed at center of Locate Mark gives true distance of 24” and shows that damage was outside established Tolerance Zone.
This claim should be DENIED!http://www.okie811.org/how-it-works/the-law/