It is the responsibility of everyone, from the professional contractor using large earthmoving equipment to the homeowner planting a shrub with a simple posthole digger, to take certain precautions to ensure buried utility facilities are not damaged. First and foremost, if you are planning a project which involves digging, drilling, blasting, demolition, post-driving or other method that will disturb the subsurface of the earth, is making sure you notify Dig Safe™. Dig Safe™ is a one-call system that will notify all member utilities to mark their underground facilities. If you are not doing the work yourself, make sure whomever you hire to do the work has contacted Dig Safe™. Please refer to the following guidelines when planning a project that has the potential to cause damage to buried utility facilities:

Pre-mark the boundaries of the area you will be disturbing with white paint, flags or stakes. Notify Dig Safe™ at 811, at least 48 hours prior to beginning your work, not including Saturday, Sunday or legal holidays. Dig Safe™ will notify Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) and we will ensure pipelines are located and marked with yellow paint, flags, stakes or markers. Ensure that whomever is going to be doing the work understands procedures and safe work practices they should follow while working in close proximity to buried pipelines.

If the work involves demolition, notify Dig Safe™ and contact the Vermont Gas directly. Then verify that gas service to the structure has been disconnected – the gas meter(s) should no longer be on site. Do not begin demolition activities and notify Vermont Gas if you discover that gas meter(s) are still at the building.

Pipeline markings only indicate the approximate horizontal position of buried pipelines. Therefore, reasonable precautions (hand tools, vacuum excavating or other safe methods) should be used to verify the exact horizontal and vertical location of pipelines before using backhoes or other earthmoving equipment. Pipeline depths vary for a variety of reasons. This is especially true for service lines that run from a main in the street to a structure. Verify pipeline depth at periodic intervals before using mechanized equipment. When boring, Vermont law requires that exact pipeline locations be verified at each crossing and at periodic intervals parallel to the utility. The excavator is responsible for maintaining the marks. If they are not maintained, you must call Dig Safe™ and request a re-mark before continuing your work.

Vermont State law requires excavators to notify utilities when buried facilities are damaged, even if there is not an apparent leak and/or minimal damage. Natural gas is lighter than air, non-toxic, flammable and has a rotten-egg like odor. If you detect a leak notify the local fire department and VGS immediately. There are also many other reasons why it is extremely important to notify Vermont Gas if a pipeline is damaged. The reasons are:

1) It is possible that unseen buried fittings could have been damaged when the pipeline was struck or pulled. Gas may be leaking underground that you are not aware of. VGS has sensitive equipment that can detect such leaks.

2) Steel pipe is protected from corrosion with a special coating. If the coating is not repaired, a hazardous leak could develop later.

3) Plastic pipe has a small wire running its length approximately six inches above it. This wire enables VGS to locate the pipeline. If the wire is damaged, VGS will be unable to locate the line in the future.

4) If you discover damage to VGS facilities, which appears to have occurred sometime ago, please contact VGS. This will enable VGS to make repairs and relieve you of potential future liability since you were excavating in the area.

1) Have everyone move a safe distance away from the area (if you can smell gas you are too close). Ensure that no one enters the area. Call the fire department (911) and VGS immediately (1-800-639-8081 or 863-4511). Make sure you talk to someone in person when reporting damage. Do not leave a message on someone’s voice mail!

2) Eliminate sources of ignition. Do not allow anyone to smoke. Evacuate the adjacent area and do not allow anyone into the area. Divert automobile traffic if you must.

3) If you suspect that gas is entering a building:

a) Do not ring doorbells since they could create a spark. Knock on doors instead.

b) Do not turn on light switches or use phones in areas where gas is present.

c) Ask the occupants to exit the building immediately.

d) Do not allow people to re-enter the building until VGS and the fire department ensures it is safe.

4) Do not cover the leak with dirt. This will not prevent the gas from escaping but may cause gas to migrate to unknown locations.

5) Do not attempt to crimp plastic pipe or plug a damaged pipeline because static electricity could ignite the leaking gas.

6) If the gas begins to burn, do not attempt to extinguish the fire. Burning natural gas will not explode. Move any flammable materials away from the area and wait for emergency response personnel.

a) The State of Vermont requires all utilities to notify the Department of Public Service (DPS) whenever a buried facility is damaged. In the interest of public safety, the DPS then investigates the reported incident. As a result, you may be contacted by the DPS when a buried utility is damage.

b) If you would like to view the Vermont Law pertaining to underground damage prevention, go to the State of Vermont web page: www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/title30/title30.htm. It is located in Title 30, Chapter 86. Additional information regarding pipeline operators within the area may be obtained through the National Pipeline Mapping System. http://www.npms.rspa.dot.gov/

c) Dig Safe Systems, Inc. has an informative website with a considerable amount of useful information. The address is www.digsafe.com

d) If you have any questions or concerns when working around natural gas please contact Vermont Gas Systems. If you are a professional excavator we could arrange on site natural gas safety training for your crew. We want to help insure the safety of everyone involved. We can be reached at (802) 863-4511.

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