IF
YOU REPRESENT A COMPANY THAT DOES EXCAVATION WORK
We
especially need your help
in preventing pipeline emergencies. Pipelines left to themselves rarely cause
problems. Experience shows that damage from excavation-related activities
(particularly mechanized equipment digging into pipelines) is by far the Number
One cause of pipeline accidents. The Regulation
of Excavations near Underground Utility Facilities
provides that:
Excavators must contact a notification center at least 48 hours before (but not more than 10 working days before; excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) (Varies by State Regulations)
Operators of affected facilities must visibly mark those facilities, which they deem necessary within 48 hours of notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays), using color-coded markings.
Excavators
are responsible for immediately notifying underground facility operators (or
a notification center, if the operator is unknown) when damage occurs to a
facility, and must accommodate necessary repairs including delaying
backfilling operations and keeping sources of ignition away from flammable
material.
ARE
THERE PIPELINES NEAR WHERE YOU PLAN TO DIG?
To find out
(and to learn if other underground utilities are in the area), you may call the
statewide toll-free number listed inside the box above.
The notification center will notify all of it’s member operators* having
underground facilities (not only pipelines) located in the area to be excavated.
Each operator will determine the appropriate response, which may depend on the
proximity of it’s facilities to your proposed excavation.
Marking of each underground facility will be in accordance with the
American Public Works Association color-coding standards.
We will accurately mark our facilities (in yellow; used for gas and oil
products) and will meet with you onsite, if desired.
*(Facility operators are required to be a member of a notification center.)
MARKERS
SHOW THAT A PIPELINE IS NEARBY.
Before digging, look for pipeline markers at nearby roads, railroads,
fences and streams. Also check the property and deed records, which should show
any pipeline rights-of-way that have been granted by the landowner. Remember,
though, that pipeline markers only show the general
area where the pipeline is located. Don't try to guess the route or depth of
the pipeline based only on marker placement. That's a gamble no one should take.
Call the pipeline operator (collect if long distance) at the telephone number
shown on the marker and call a notification center just to
make sure you haven’t overlooked an underground facility.
"THREE
STEPS TO SAFETY"
1: GIVE NOTICE OF A PLANNED EXCAVATION The
excavating company must notify a one-call center about their excavation
plans (call us too, if our pipeline marker is in the vicinity).
Only the excavator knows where and when they plan to dig; please give us
as much lead-time as possible (but less than 10 days). Advance notice is also
an OSHA requirement; see 29 CFR 1926.651(b).
2:
LOCATION AND MARKING
A
company representative will meet with the excavator, if needed, to determine if
any of our pipelines might be affected by the planned work.
We will provide temporary marking to show the location, route and depth
of the affected pipelines. We do this safely, using detailed maps, pipeline
locating equipment and probing rods.
3: INSPECTION DURING AND AFTER EXCAVATION
A
company representative will be present on site if required (both during and
after the excavation) to ensure the safety and integrity of our pipelines. He or
she will inform you of any procedural requirements necessary for the protection
of our pipeline. Your cooperation will provide a safe working environment for
everyone for your employees and ours, and for the general public.
IF
YOU ARE DIGGING AND ACCIDENTALLY CAUSE A PIPELINE BREAK...
Immediately
turn off and abandon all motorized equipment.
Leave
the area on foot; keep all sources of ignition (including cell phones) away.
Warn
others to stay away - keep traffic out of the area.
Watch
for, and keep away from, possible vapor clouds.
Notify local fire and law enforcement departments about the problem.
Notify
t
AND
PLEASE...
If you are digging and disturb a
pipeline - even if the damage seems to be minor - notify the pipeline operator immediately,
while the pipeline is exposed. A scrape, dent or gouge in the pipeline (or
damage to its protective coating) may cause
a future pipeline leak or break. The pipeline operator must be given the
opportunity to evaluate and repair any damage to the pipeline.
The excavator must delay backfilling in the immediate area of the damage
until the facility operator’s inspection and repairs (if needed) are complete.