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| Leave That Damaged Pipeline Alone! |
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Let’s face it, you’re a “fixer.” Making broken things right again is your job. So when your backhoe cuts a polyethylene natural gas pipeline, you might be tempted to fold that plastic pipe over and shut down the leak with duct tape before things can get any worse. Do NOT do it!
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Attempting to stop the flow of natural gas in a damaged pipeline can have catastrophic consequences. |
Order our FREE worker safety kit on the NW Natural
e-SMARTworkers website. |
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| What's the Big Deal? |
You know that irritating jolt of static electricity that you get when you touch a doorknob after walking across a carpet? The normal flow of natural gas through a pipeline can generate static electricity too.
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If you try to move a damaged natural gas pipeline, it may discharge an electrical spark that could ignite leaking gas. Even a static spark from your touch could be enough to trigger an explosion.
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Do not attempt to block or trap escaping gas using tools or equipment, such as an excavator bucket. Doing so can introduce hazardous conditions, including gas migration and inaccurate damage assessment. If unchecked, these conditions could lead to an explosion.
So NEVER attempt to stop the flow of gas with any tool or equipment or by plugging, bending, pinching, taping, or crimping a broken gas pipeline. Leave it alone! |
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| If You Suspect a Natural Gas Leak |
Warn others and leave the area immediately. Do not use matches or lighters, start an engine, or operate any electrical device—even a phone. From a safe location, call 911 immediately. Then call NW Natural at 800-882-3377 and report the leak to your supervisor.
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| Would You Like to Know More? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos, and educational tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on NW Natural e-SMARTworkers website. |
| Free Online Excavation Safety Training |
| Now being offered — Excavation Safety 101 |
| This online course will strengthen your understanding of common safety issues as well
as educate you on laws and best practices for safe excavation. The course is designed
to take a minimum of 60 minutes to complete, although there is no maximum time limit.
Successful completion of Excavation Safety 101 with a 100% grade will earn you a
certificate, proving that you've completed the course and giving you a way to earn
continuing education credits. |
| The course is available to anyone. Simply create an account,
enroll in the course, and complete the material at your own pace. |
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| Please help us improve our safety tips to meet your training needs. Take our two-minute survey.
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