Pipeline Safety Tips
Identification of Hazards
- When arriving at a job site, always check to ensure all locates have been performed and look for meters, valves, markers, vent pipes or any other indication that a gas line may be present.
- Prior to construction, verify with Dalton Utilities that it is safe to drive heavy equipment across the gas line.
- Do not assume because you are working away from the road a gas line is not present.
Leak Recognition
- Smell- A rotten egg odor or a strong unpleasant odor around a gas line or other gas facility may indicate a leak is present.
- Sound – sometimes you can hear a hissing noise when gas is escaping.
- Sight- in wet areas look for bubbles to indicate where a leak may be. Dead vegetation may also indicate a gas leak is present.
Damage Prevention
- Always call the UPC One-Call center prior to the start of digging.
- Always pothole any marked utility lines prior to construction to verify its location.
- Never dig when there is any indication of a gas line present even if there are no marks and the UPC ticket is good.
- If the main is marked look for services that might have been missed.
- If you see anyone digging in an area that is within a natural gas pipeline easement or where you know there is a gas line and you do not see any marks, notify Dalton Utilities immediately.
- If you damage or hit a gas line (even if it does not appear to be leaking), you must still call Dalton Utilities immediately so the line can be inspected to prevent future leaks or threats to the public/environment.
One-Call Requirements
- Locate tickets must be called in to the UPC two days prior to the start of excavation.
- If the facilities are not marked by 7:00 am on the day the ticket becomes valid, call Dalton Utilities before beginning excavation. If obvious signs of a utility are present contact the UPC again and they will send another notice.
- Pothole all marked facilities within the work zone prior to excavation with mechanized equipment.
- There is no required depth for utility services and no requirements to provide depths with the locates.
- There is a 24-inch tolerance zone from the outside edge of the pipe.
- All damages must be reported to the UPC and Dalton Utilities immediately and work stopped at the site until repairs are made.
- Never attempt to fix a damaged utility line or gas leak or stop the flow of gas; evacuate the area.
24 HOUR EMERGENCY CONTACTS:
Dalton Utilities – 706-278-1313 or Toll-Free (888) 337-1313, www.dutil.com
Fire Department, Police and/or Sheriff – 911
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS:
Tools You Can Use
- MESSAGE ALERTS! If there are special alerts or news on major planned construction of the gas system, we will include them here. (Currently there are no alerts.)
- Natural Gas & Pipeline Safety: Click Here
- Current Monthly Natural Gas Rate: $7.004 per MmBtu*
- National Pipeline Management System
* Natural gas rate per MmBtu is gas index for January 2012 as published in the Inside F.E.R.C.'s Gas Market Report plus all applicable pipeline transmission, local distribution, and metering/billing costs.
