Preventing Pipeline Emergencies

The liquid pipeline industry has a goal of error free, spill-free operations. Achieving this goal depends mainly on the success of efforts aimed at preventing damage to pipelines caused by digging in or near rights-of-way.

One of the greatest single challenges to safe pipeline operations is the accidental damage caused by excavation, construction, farming activities – or even homeowner construction and maintenance.

Oil and gas pipeline companies have joined with other infrastructure operators – electric utilities, fiber optic cables, telephone lines, water and sewer mains – to create and finance “One Call” centers that serve all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While laws vary by state, they all require excavators to contact the one-call center responsible for their area before any digging begins.

DIG SAFELY is a campaign led by the government and underground utilities to support communications efforts to raise public awareness of the “One Call” process and how to contact the appropriate center. DIG SAFELY also provides guidance on safe digging practices, including accurately locating and marking pipelines and other underground infrastructures.

DIG SAFELY stresses five key reminders: Call Before You Dig Await the Required Time Respect the Marks Excavate (Dig) with Care Safety is Everyone's Responsibility

Before starting, everyone who digs must call the local “One Call” center to tell them when and where they will be digging. If a local call center is unknown, excavators can call the Dig Safely national referral number 1-888-258-0808.

“One Call” is a free service to inform underground utilities or pipeline owners of any called-in excavation activities that could potentially affect their underground facilities. The facility owner, in turn, provides specific location information to the excavator and marks the underground facility with above-ground APWA (American Public Works Association) color-coded markings.

No digging should occur until a “One Call” center is contacted. Each state has a minimum waiting time of two to three days, or longer for large projects. When digging is very close to the underground utility or pipeline, a company representative may need to stay on site to inspect the activity and protect the underground pipeline.

With the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety, the DIG SAFELY message is being promoted broadly. In addition, an implementation manual has been published, and hardware stores and equipment rental outlets are currently displaying the DIG SAFELY message.

Considerable success already has been realized. In recent years, the number of pipeline incidents has decreased 40 percent and the volume of oil released has decreased about 60 percent.

To learn more visit our One Call Systems, DIG SAFELY, Common Ground Alliance pages.