Working Around Gas Lines and Underground Facilities

This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.

• Carbon Monoxide

Physical:

• Explosion
• Electric shock
• Burns
• High pressure release of gas
• Loss of service
• Flooding

• Non-conductive tools (shovels)

Administrative:

• Utility locates
• Utility markers (flags, stakes, paint)
• Hand exposure (shovel, hydro-vac)
• Hazard Assessment
• Right to refuse unsafe work
• Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
• Ground Disturbance Training
• Spotters
• ABC fire extinguisher

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Basic PPE: CSA/ANSI approved safety footwear
• Task-Specific PPE: Grounding mats

• Ensure Line Locates for the Work Site are readily available.
• Ensure Line Locates are current (within 30 days AND no new services have been installed after the locates have been issued)
• Ensure Line Locates are printed in colour.
• Verify that all locate markings are visible, accurate, and understood by all Workers.
• Enforce hand-digging or hydro-vacuuming in the hand exposure area.
• If necessary or required by regulations, ensure that a competent signal person or utility company representative is present. Monitor that equipment does not encroach in the hand exposure area.
• Ensure the equipment operator has Ground Disturbance Training.
• Confirm ERP is in place and communicated to Workers.
• Evacuate and section off area and do not allow anyone to enter in the event of a gas line hit. Follow ERP instructions.
• Make sure the appropriate fire extinguisher is on site.
• Call the emergency line immediately if you hit an underground natural gas line.

Do not

• Allow excavation to begin without valid and current Line Locates
• Allow machinery to dig within the hand exposure area or other locations listed as dangerous on the Line Locate.
• Remove the markers indicating location of utility lines until work has commenced.
• Allow operators without (in person) Ground Disturbance training to operate/excavate.
• Allow any naked flame, spark or smoking near a gas line.
• Allow the operation of equipment / machinery and or smoke / vape if you smell gas leak. Follow ERP instructions.

• Follow the instructions of the Supervisor and the utility locate reports.
• Use shovels or hydro vacuum when working in the hand exposure area or when confirming the size and direction of utilities in the dig area.
• Keep equipment and spoil piles away from utility lines markers, utility risers and exposed underground utilities.
• Complete Ground Disturbance Training (in person).
• Review the Work Site ERP.
• Ensure the appropriate fire extinguisher is within arm’s reach of the work area.
• Hand expose (or hydro-vac) all lines that might encroach in your work area, to confirm utility type, size and direction and avoid contact with the line.
• Look for signs on the ground that might indicate recent ground disturbance not captured by the locates.
• Measure and mark off-set signs if facility markers need to be removed during work. Replace markers once work completed.
• Talk with the on-site Supervisor / Superintendent to assign a competent signal person to large equipment that may approach the safe zone while operating.
• Stop equipment and report any unusual smells (like rotten eggs), sounds (hissing), sparks or signs of a leak immediately.
• In the event of a line hit, evacuate and section off area and do not allow anyone to enter. Follow ERP instructions.
• Note for Excavators: Arrange traffic control when a locator is required to work on or adjacent to high traffic volume roads, or near roadways that pose a potential threat to the safety of Workers.

Do not

• Begin any excavation unless locates are completed, current, and in colour. Fill out a work refusal form if necessary.
• Use machinery to dig within the hand exposure area or hazardous locations as listed on the Line Locates, unless directed and monitored by the facility owner.
• Allow any naked flame, spark or smoking near a gas line.
• Remove or alter utility locate markings unless required to perform work and off sets measurements are taken and marked.
• Use mechanical excavation within 5 metres / 16 feet of a provincially regulated pipeline until the pipeline has been hand exposed and is clearly visible.