Which requirement obligates each operator to develop a written plan to prevent damage to pipelines during excavation?

• A. Written Damage Prevention Program
• B. One-Call System Participation
• C. Line Markers Include Operator Name and Contact
• D. Mark Within Two Feet Near a Proposed Excavation

Answer: (A)

The requirement being tested is that operators must have a Written Damage Prevention Program that obligates them to develop a written plan to prevent damage to pipelines during excavation. This formal plan ensures a proactive, documented approach to safety, outlining how digging projects are planned, how underground facilities are identified and protected, and who is responsible for communication and verification at every step. It typically covers procedures for locating facilities, coordinating with excavators, training personnel, and implementing safe digging practices before any excavation begins, along with steps for emergencies and plan review.

The other items are important parts of the overall damage-prevention framework but do not themselves mandate creating a written plan. Participating in a One-Call system enables pre-dig notification to operators, but it is about initiating contact rather than establishing a formal plan. Markers showing the operator’s name and contact provide necessary information on site, not the written plan. And marking within a specific distance near a proposed excavation describes the marking requirement, not the creation of a preventive plan.