Chapters
Transcript
Before You Uncover It
You've found the line. Now you're going to uncover it. Before digging, it's wise to have a service that could be dangerous shut off and disconnected. If it can't be, ask its owner to supervise the uncovering. When a job needs a service interrupted, it's wise to coordinate it with the line's owner. And never operate a utility's valves, switches or other equipment yourself.
Exposed Lines
By law, while the trench is open, lines in it must be protected, supported or removed as needed to keep workers safe. Keep in mind that an exposed line can shift, separate or be damaged once the soil stops holding it. A good habit: get support instructions from the line's owner. Keep temporary support until the backfill under the line has been compacted enough to hold it. Make a habit of never climbing on an exposed line, striking it or trying to move it. If it needs moving, call its owner to arrange it.
If You Hit One
If you suspect a gas leak, the safe move is to get out of the trench and clear the area at once, and tell people nearby to leave. Where it's safe and won't slow anyone getting away, shut off vehicles and equipment, put out ignition sources, barricade, and keep everyone away. Call 911 and the gas utility right away, from a safe spot away from the gas. If a steam or high-pressure water line is hit, stay clear of the jet, the vapor, flooding and undermined ground, and never go near the leak to find out what it is. If a sewer gets hit, it's recommended to get out of the trench, because sewage gives off hazardous gases.
Report Any Damage
If you damage any line, even a dent or a scratch in the coating, call its owner right away, and report it to 811. Never try to control or repair a damaged line yourself; leave that to its owner. For a pipeline, that call is the law: federal pipeline rules require reporting any damage to its operator, even without a leak, and calling 911 if gas or liquid escapes. Keep each line owner's phone number at the site, so you can make that call fast.
Recap
To recap. Before digging, it's wise to have a dangerous service shut off and disconnected; if it can't be, ask its owner to supervise. Exposed lines must be protected, supported or removed as needed to keep workers safe. Good habits: never climb on, strike or move a line; call its owner to move it. If you suspect gas, get out of the trench and clear the area at once, tell people nearby to leave, and call 911 and the utility from a safe spot. Never try to repair a damaged line. If you damage any line, even a scratch in the coating, call its owner right away and report it to 811; for a pipeline, reporting it to the operator is the law.
Sources
- US OSHA excavation standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P)
- OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin: Avoiding Underground Utilities during Horizontal Directional Drilling
- US PHMSA pipeline damage prevention rules (49 CFR Part 196)
- Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Best Practices
- Dashpot recommended practice (said as such in the video)
This video is for work in the United States. It covers federal OSHA requirements and good practice, and the narration says which is which. States with their own OSHA-approved plans, and each state's 811 law, can set different or stricter rules. Rules also differ in Canada. General information only, not legal advice. Always follow federal and state regulations, your employer's procedures and the instructions of a competent person on your site. Narration is AI-generated (the Dashpot narrator voice); every script is checked against the sources listed above before it is voiced.
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