A Q&A with Joey Harris, Third-Party Inspector, Natural Gas ISS Department – Las Vegas
This month, we’re spotlighting one of our team members in the field who plays a vital role in keeping natural gas projects safe, compliant, and moving forward. Joey Harris is a third-party inspector based in our Las Vegas office, where he oversees a wide variety of gas construction activities on behalf of Southwest Gas. We asked Joey to walk us through what his work involves, how he stays focused in the extreme heat, and what he finds most meaningful about the job.
Q: What does a typical workday look like for you as a third-party inspector?
A: As a third-party inspector, I typically start my day around 6 a.m. I begin by doing a 360-degree walk-around of my Sunrise-provided work truck, checking tires, fluids, and for any debris or items around the vehicle. I arrive at the job site between 6:30 and 7 a.m. and join the tailgate meeting with the crew or crews I’m assigned to, where we go over the day’s tasks. Throughout the day, I oversee line locating procedures, excavation, pipe joining procedures, pressure tests, tie-ins, final gas-ups, and backfilling.
Q: What kinds of projects are you most often assigned to?
A: Our third-party inspectors at Sunrise are typically assigned to inspect main and service replacements, new installations, and the abandonment of unused facilities. I’m usually assigned to a main crew.
Q: What does your role involve from the moment you arrive on-site to the time you wrap up?
A: Once I arrive on-site, I take time to walk the previous day’s work area to ensure it is properly cleaned up and secure. I check for proper locate marks and make sure road plates have an adequate number of pins. Then I meet with my crew, go over the day’s tasks, check the job packet for all necessary and up-to-date paperwork, review OQ cards, and take notes on start times for the crew, equipment, and any other third-party contractors on the job site. I oversee all procedures and work done until the crew finishes cleanup and removes the traffic control plan at the end of the day.
Q: What kind of coordination do you have to do with contractors, utilities, or project managers each day?
A: As a third-party inspector, it’s important to have good communication and detailed notes so you can properly coordinate field walks, gas-up dates, and meet all deadlines. We communicate closely with the contractors’ managers and relay that information back to Southwest Gas and, at times, to city or county inspectors.
Q: What tools or equipment do you rely on most in the field?
A: Some of the things I rely on in the field are PPE, of course. We also rely heavily on documentation, so the iPad and phone are important tools we use every day.
Q: How do you ensure compliance with Southwest Gas and Sunrise Engineering standards?
A: We use the SWG ops manual to make sure we are in compliance. We also have quarterly meetings with management to ensure everything is running as smoothly as possible.
Q: What are the most challenging parts of your job during the summer construction season?
A: Keeping hydrated, protecting your skin from the sun, overheating in the extreme Las Vegas heat, and working long hours.
Q: What helps you stay safe and focused when working in extreme heat?
A: Drinking lots of water and electrolytes, getting plenty of rest the night before, taking adequate breaks to cool off, keeping an eye on coworkers to make sure they are hydrated, and reminding them to drink water and take breaks.
Q: What’s something people might not realize about what a field inspector actually does?
A: As a field inspector, you get to work closely with the crew to complete a project from start to finish.
Q: Are there any recent situations where your inspection work helped resolve a potential issue or improve the outcome of a project?
A: We catch line locate discrepancies often, which can prevent the crew from having a line break. We also identify any issues during pipe joining procedures that could prevent a gas leak in the future.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the job?
A: I enjoy getting to work outside, work with my hands, and build relationships with the crews over the years. My favorite part of the job is always gas-up day, when you complete the last purge of the job. It is very satisfying after the months of hard work it takes to get to that point.
Q: How do you prepare for days that include multiple job sites or tight deadlines?
A: You plan accordingly. Each day and each job is unique. Always have plenty of snacks and water, because you might not have time to stop or take many breaks on some days.
Q: What makes this work meaningful to you?
A: I find this line of work meaningful because I’m providing an energy service that millions of people use every day. Natural gas can be a dangerous industry to work in, so knowing I can help my crews work safely and make it home at the end of the day is another example of how meaningful the job is.
Q: What kind of training or certifications are most important for the work you do?
A: As a third-party inspector, we are required to hold multiple OQ and PJQ qualifications. We must get requalified on these tasks once a year.
Q: How do you stay up to date with code or procedure changes?
A: Southwest Gas has manual revisions quarterly throughout the year to keep us up to date on any changes.
Q: What’s something you’ve learned in the field that’s stuck with you?
A: No two days are ever the same. Just because it is an easy task, don’t assume there will not be any issues or surprises.
Q: How do you balance accuracy and efficiency on the job?
A: Tailgate meetings help with this. It is important to have a solid game plan and make sure all crew members understand the task at hand so we can complete the job in a safe, accurate, and efficient manner.
Q: Do you work closely with any other Sunrise departments or team members in your day-to-day?
A: There are days when we work side by side with other inspectors, and sometimes we will work together to oversee one large project. However, we usually have our own crews and tasks to observe.
Q: Any advice you’d give someone new to the role?
A: Treat your crews with respect and you will receive respect. Do not be afraid to use your coworkers or SWG leads to ask questions you may be unsure of. Always review your plans before making decisions.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your work or experience?
A: In the eight years I have been doing third-party inspection, I still learn something new almost every day. I enjoy working with the Sunrise team and the contractors I get to inspect. It is a demanding job that comes with great reward.