Case studies—learn from these mistakes
Take a lesson from these unfortunate true stories about job site mistakes. Expand the “Don’t do what they did!” boxes to see relevant safety information, so you can prevent similar tragedies.
A man in a hurry
A Missouri contractor who called before digging hit a 6-inch high-pressure gas line in an industrial park. He was told the gas company would be locating a line at the site, but he began digging the day before the date set for marking. The line was capped within two hours of the accident, and fortunately there were no injuries or damage. (Source: Underground Focus magazine)
Call 811 or place an online request before you dig or move earth in any way—even for small jobs.
- Oregon online request system: or.itic.occinc.com
- Washington online request system: wa.itic.occinc.com
This free service will arrange to have underground utility lines marked so you can dig a safe distance away. Call before you dig, blast, bore, trench, drill, grade, or excavate in any way. Even small jobs require a call.
Before you notify, pre-mark your proposed dig area with white paint, flags, or stakes.
This helps locators more easily mark the affected utilities.
Wait the required time for lines to be marked so you can dig a safe distance away.
- In Oregon and Washington, wait at least two full business days before digging, not counting the date that you notify 811, weekends, and legal holidays.
Once utilities are marked, respect the marks, hand expose to verify location, and dig with care.
Notify 811 well ahead of digging so underground utilities can be marked and you can work safely.
Shocking fact:
Not all utilities are members of 811. You are responsible for notifying non-member utilities. For a list of these utilities, check with 811 in the state where you will be digging.
Always call 911 after a utility hit
A Minnesota contractor severed a buried natural gas pipeline with digging equipment. He reported the leak to his supervisor, but did not call 911 or the local utility company. Within 40 minutes, gas migrated into a nearby building and exploded, killing four people, injuring eleven and destroying six buildings. (Source: National Transportation Safety Board)
Report all gas pipeline contacts to 911 and NW Natural immediately.There’s no such thing as minor damage to a gas line. What looks like a small nick can result in a major fire and explosion hazard to the surrounding neighborhood. So if you or someone on your crew contacts a natural gas pipeline, take these steps:
- Warn others, and leave the area immediately.
- Do not use matches or a lighter, start an engine, or operate any electrical device—even a phone. A spark could ignite the gas, causing a fire or explosion.
- Leave the excavation open, and do not attempt to stop the flow of gas or fix the pipeline.
- When you have reached a safe distance away, call 911 and NW Natural immediately at 800-882-3377.
- Excavators are required by law to call 911 in the event of escaping gas.
- Call the utility even if there is no visible damage to the pipeline.
- Stay away from the area until safety officials say it is safe to return.
- Report the incident to your supervisor.
Never bury a damaged gas pipeline. Trying to cover up an accident can be dangerous and can lead to costly damages or criminal charges against you or your company.
Shocking fact:
An underground utility contact can happen even if you have dug in the area before or think you know the location of the lines. Landscaping, erosion, or other factors can change the location and depth of underground lines. Notify 811 to have all nearby underground utility lines marked before you begin the job.
Learn the warning signs of a gas leak.
NW Natural adds mercaptan, which has a highly recognizable sulfur-like odor, to natural gas to assist in leak detection. But don’t rely on your nose alone to detect a leak. Use your senses of sight and hearing, as well. Here are the signs:
- The distinctive odor of natural gas
- Dead or dying vegetation (in an otherwise moist area) over or near a pipeline
- Continuous bubbling in water
- A hissing, whistling, or roaring sound
- Dirt blowing into the air from a hole in the ground
- Exposed pipeline after an earthquake, fire, flood, or other disaster
- A damaged connection to a gas appliance
If you observe any of the above conditions, call 911 and then the NW Natural emergency phone number at 800-882-3377 from a safe location.
If you smell gas, get out fast
A 39-year-old Canadian woman refused to leave her home despite a gas line rupture and was killed when the gas exploded. The woman’s husband had hit a buried natural gas line while digging footings for a room addition. He went into the house and warned his wife of the gas leak, but she assured him she was safe. The man went back outside to wait for repair technicians to arrive. The explosion knocked the man down, and he was dragged away from the flames by a friend. The woman died in the fire. (Source: Alberta.com news report)
Report all gas pipeline contacts to 911 and NW Natural immediately.There’s no such thing as minor damage to a gas line. What looks like a small nick can result in a major fire and explosion hazard to the surrounding neighborhood. So if you or someone on your crew contacts a natural gas pipeline, take these steps:
- Warn others, and leave the area immediately.
- Do not use matches or a lighter, start an engine, or operate any electrical device—even a phone. A spark could ignite the gas, causing a fire or explosion.
- Leave the excavation open, and do not attempt to stop the flow of gas or fix the pipeline.
- When you have reached a safe distance away, call 911 and NW Natural immediately at 800-882-3377.
- Excavators are required by law to call 911 in the event of escaping gas.
- Call the utility even if there is no visible damage to the pipeline.
- Stay away from the area until safety officials say it is safe to return.
- Report the incident to your supervisor.
Never bury a damaged gas pipeline. Trying to cover up an accident can be dangerous and can lead to costly damages or criminal charges against you or your company.
Shocking fact:
An underground utility contact can happen even if you have dug in the area before or think you know the location of the lines. Landscaping, erosion, or other factors can change the location and depth of underground lines. Notify 811 to have all nearby underground utility lines marked before you begin the job.
Learn the warning signs of a gas leak.
NW Natural adds mercaptan, which has a highly recognizable sulfur-like odor, to natural gas to assist in leak detection. But don’t rely on your nose alone to detect a leak. Use your senses of sight and hearing, as well. Here are the signs:
- The distinctive odor of natural gas
- Dead or dying vegetation (in an otherwise moist area) over or near a pipeline
- Continuous bubbling in water
- A hissing, whistling, or roaring sound
- Dirt blowing into the air from a hole in the ground
- Exposed pipeline after an earthquake, fire, flood, or other disaster
- A damaged connection to a gas appliance
If you observe any of the above conditions, call 911 and then the NW Natural emergency phone number at 800-882-3377 from a safe location.