To improve safety during sewer construction and reduce the risk of accidents, the Taichung City Government's Water Resources Bureau, led by Deputy Director Han Nai-bin, has launched joint inspections starting February 19. The inspections, conducted alongside Shin Chung Natural Gas, Xin Lin Natural Gas, and Shin Chang Natural Gas, focus on 16 sewer excavation projects across the city. These include projects such as the Taichung City Sewer Network and Household Pipeline Connection Projects 7-10 (covering areas such as Xitun Road and Yingcai Road) and the Taichung City Fengjia Road System Sewer Network and Household Pipeline Connection Project 1 (covering Shang'an Road and nearby regions). The inspections are expected to be finished within a week to ensure compliance with the Water Resources Bureau’s guidelines for preventing damage to pipelines during construction.
According to the Water Resources Bureau, the focus of the joint inspections is to ensure that preventive measures and emergency response protocols are properly implemented. Construction teams must conduct pipeline surveys before beginning excavation and use video surveillance throughout the excavation process. Additionally, the supervisor in charge of the excavation must have a complete understanding of the pipeline locations, and the site must be equipped with essential safety gear, including fire extinguishers, gas detectors, and gas stop clamps, to improve emergency response capacity. In the event of an accident, the Water Resources Bureau and other relevant units must be immediately informed, the alert zone must be expanded, access to the site must be restricted, the use of electric tools must be prohibited, work must be stopped, and gas shutdown procedures must be quickly initiated to prevent the situation from worsening and to maintain safety at the construction site.
Director Fan Shi-yi of the Water Resources Bureau stressed that to avoid frontline workers being inadequately informed about pipeline characteristics and to reduce the chances of secondary disasters like fires or injuries following pipeline damage, the Water Resources Bureau has partnered with natural gas companies in Central Taiwan to conduct training on “Preventing Gas Pipeline Damage and Emergency Response Measures.” To date, eight training sessions have been held, training 602 participants. These sessions ensure that construction teams are well-prepared by thoroughly reviewing pipeline maps and understanding the response protocols in case of damage, thereby strengthening safety for both workers and residents.
The Water Resources Bureau added that preventing pipeline damage is not a task that can be achieved by just one party, as it involves multiple aspects and complexities. It requires the joint efforts of construction teams, pipeline units, and government agencies, covering everything from thorough preparation beforehand to on-site prevention, rapid response during incidents, and post-disaster reviews and improvements. Full implementation of all safety measures is necessary to ensure a safer public construction environment. (2/21*11)* Water Resources Bureau

Contact Person: Miss Lu, Sewer Construction Division, Water Resources Bureau, Taichung City Government
Contact Number: Ext. 53803