This information is prepared and provided by the Virginia State Corporation Commission's Division of Utility and Railroad Safety. Nothing contained in this application is intended to supersede the existing state law or the Commission’s Rules. The Commission does not assume any responsibility for the acts or conduct of any reader of this information.

2021

If you discover:

• Gas escaping from a pipeline (hissing sounds, gas bubbling to the surface, unexplained dead vegetation on a right-of-way, natural gas smell);

• Fire, explosion, or natural disaster (earthquake, wash-out, lightning, etc.) involving or occurring near pipeline facilities;

• Unauthorized digging, drilling, or construction around a pipeline that may constitute an emergency or hazardous condition;

• Hazardous liquid (petroleum products) escaping from a pipeline;

Immediately:

• Alert others and leave the area.

• Avoid touching anything that may produce a spark (mobile devices, light switches, appliances, flashlights, tools, etc.) until you’re at a safe distance.

• Call 911 and then the gas/liquid operator, if the telephone number is known.

• Remain in an upwind, safe place until emergency personnel clear the scene.

• Do not allow others to enter the area.

Virginia law requires you to follow certain steps when excavating within two feet on either side of the staked or marked location of an underground utility line.

Such steps include, but may not be limited to:

1. Exposing the utility line to its extremities by hand digging before beginning the proposed excavation. For more information on the exposing underground utility lines best practices, click HERE.

2. Not using mechanized equipment within two feet of the extremities of all exposed utility lines.

3. Protecting the exposed utility lines from damage. In addition, for excavations parallel to an existing utility line, such steps shall include, but may not be limited to, hand digging at reasonable distances along the line of excavation.

Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-120 requires that excavators maintain a reasonable clearance, to include the width of the utility line plus two (2) feet between the marked or staked location of an underground utility line and the cutting edge or point of any mechanized equipment. Consider the known limit of control of the cutting edge or point to avoid damaging underground utility lines.

Best Practices

• Use soft digging whenever possible. Soft Digging means any excavation using tools or equipment that utilize air or water pressure as the direct means to break up soil or earth for removal by vacuum excavation.

• Carefully begin potholing an area to the side of the marked utility line. Keep the face of the shovel parallel with the utility line markings.

• Begin extending the pothole walls toward the utility line

• Once the utility line is visible, keep the face of the shovel parallel with the utility line, and use all precautions to remove the soil from around the utility line.

• Fully expose the extremities of the utility line.

• Protect all exposed utility lines from damage that could result from falling debris, i.e. rocks, concrete, compacted soil, etc. and from equipment and persons working in the vicinity of the exposed utility line.

• Be aware of changes in grass color, terrain, and soil types. These changes often indicate a prior disturbance of soil.

• Be aware of any softening of soil you are digging in. This is often an indication that you are in a ditch line.

• Be aware of patches in pavement that could indicate where utilities had been previously uncovered.

• Use extreme caution when warning tapes are uncovered. Utilities are in close proximity.

• Use rounded/blunt edge tools whenever possible.

• Take all precautions and wear all applicable personal protective equipment.

• Don’t be aggressive when digging in close proximity to utility lines.

• Don’t pry against a utility line to remove soil.

• Don’t become frustrated if you can not find a utility line right away. This will lead to carelessness and eventual damage to the utility line.

• Don’t take for granted that a utility line will be at a certain depth.

• Don’t expose excessive lengths of a utility line without proper support.

• Don’t leave utility lines exposed when unattended.

• Don’t relocate utility lines unless authorized and supervised by the utility line owner/operator.