Gas Safety

Most of us are well aware of the requirement to call for locations before digging to prevent a disaster or a fatality.

Some important points to remember include:

• Call Before You Dig
• Allow the Required Time for Mark-outs
• Respect the Mark-outs
• Excavate Carefully

However, it is also very important to – plan your project to avoid damage, dislocation or disturbance of the utility. Be sure to check your excavation ticket and ensure it is current and valid, which includes checking response codes on the ticket before excavating. Be sure to conduct a sit safety inspection prior to digging and ensure you are in the correct location. Look for evidence of any unmarked utilities and request an expedited ticket if any indication is found.

Remember never use mechanized equipment within 2’ of an exposed utility line and be sure to protect lines from accidental damage.  Be sure to start potholing from the mark-out but parallel to the marks and work your way closer carefully and NEVER DIG PERPENDICULAR TO THE MARK-OUT!

Always protect the utility from damage, by providing support and preventing things from falling into the hole.

TIPS FOR HAND DIGGING

• Use soft digging when possible
• Use only round or blunt edged tools when digging in the vicinity of the utility. Using digging bars, sharp tools, picks and mattocks and post hole diggers is dangerous and must be avoided
• Start digging or probing to the side of the marked utility line keeping the face of the tools parallel to the line markings especially when exposed
• Don’t be aggressive when digging close to lines
• Never pry against a line to remove soil
• Don’t take it for granted that the utility is where the mark-out is as often it’s unclear of the depth
• Don’t exposure excessive lengths of lines without support to prevent breaking or fractures
• Never leave exposed lines unattended

Please use this information in conjunction with your organizations locations safety program and your local 811 system as a reminder and potential tailgate session.