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Before You Dig



Damage Prevention

Whether you are a private homeowner installing a mailbox or a professional contractor digging up a city street, you are required by law to notify your local one-call utility notification center 48 to 72 hours prior to digging. This is very important. Careless digging poses a threat to underground facilities and to people. It is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of incidents each year in which underground facilities are damaged during excavation, with many of these resulting in injuries and fatalities. Most areas have established one-call centers for you to call before digging. The one-call center, along with other damage prevention initiatives, has significantly increased excavation safety. However, accidents will occur, and a major reason is that some people who dig still do not make the necessary call even though it is the law.



How To Work Around Our Pipeline

We need your help in preventing pipeline emergencies. The number one cause of pipeline leaks is damage from earth-moving and construction equipment and tools owned by parties other than the pipeline company. If you plan to dig or do any type of excavation or construction work, dial -811, or call your state underground utilities locating service (listed above). A Laser Pipeline representative will locate and mark the underground lines at no cost to you. Call at least 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) before you:

Even if you haven’t provided advanced notification, please contact us immediately if you dig and hit or touch a pipeline – even if you should cause what seems to be only minor damage to the pipeline – contact us immediately. A gouge, dent, crease, or scrape may cause a safety problem in the future. Should you see any ground movement, wash-outs, or soil erosion on, in or along the pipeline Right-Of-Way, please notify Laser Pipeline’s Non-Emergency phone number (713-655-9500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 713-655-9500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting) with the physical location of the area including State, County, Township and Range (if known) or closest physical address.



Call Before You Dig!

Play it smart... Call For Expert Advice Before You Dig:

Pennsylvania One Call System (POCS): 800-242-1776 or www.pa1call.org
New York One Call System: 800-962-7962 or www.digsafelynewyork.com


Call 811

To help address this problem in the United States, Congress mandated in the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 the establishment of a national, call-before-you-dig, three-digit telephone number. In accordance with that mandate, on March 10, 2005, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established and adopted the number 8-1-1 as the national call-before-you-dig number. The Common Ground Alliance has created a national public awareness campaign to promote the use of 811. Many states and telecommunication service providers are moving forward with the implementation of this important service. It will take time for the telecommunications industry, the FCC and others to fully implement the new 811 across the United States. However, once fully implemented the designation of this new three-digit number by the FCC will better facilitate the call-before-you-dig process and benefit the national Dig Safely program.



Identifying The Location Of A Pipeline

Since pipelines are buried underground, line markers are used to indicate the approximate – not exact – location of the pipeline. Line markers can be found where the pipeline intersects a street, highway, or railroad. However, they cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact position of the pipeline. The pipeline may not follow a straight course between markers and provide no information on the depth or number of pipelines in the vicinity. Don’t try to guess the pipeline’s location or route by the marker’s placement. Call your state “One Call Center” listed in this brochure.



Recognizing A Pipeline Leak
  • Fire or explosion near pipeline
  • A white cloud or fog
  • Dying plants amid healthy ones
  • Unusual blowing of dirt or dust
  • Persistent bubbles in water
  • Pool of liquids, possibly bubbling
  • Listen for: Hissing or roaring sound
  • Smell for: A pungent order, sometimes like rotten eggs
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    What To Do In A Pipeline Emergency

    Immediately leave the area – on foot – in an upwind direction. Avoid making contact with escaping liquids or vapors and avoid potential ignition sources. Abandon all equipment being used in the area. DO NOT drive into an area in which you encounter a leak or vapor cloud. DO NOT light a match, start an engine or automobile, use a telephone or switch on/off an electric light or appliance. Warn others to stay away from the area. DO NOT try to operate any pipeline valves yourself. DO NOT use a cell phone while near the suspected emergency area. From a distant phone, call Laser Pipeline’s Emergency phone number (800) 566-1196 and call 911 or your local fire, police or sheriff’s office