Excavators & Land Developers

Okaloosa Gas District Reminds Excavators to Dig Safely

Every day, over two million miles of underground pipeline safely transport and distribute natural gas to millions of consumers in the United States. Natural gas pipeline companies and utilities like Okaloosa Gas District work hard to keep their part of this pipeline system safe by sponsoring public education programs, meeting regularly with public and emergency officials, conducting excavator education sessions and performing system inspections using sophisticated leak detection equipment. And, while leaks and incidents are rare, it’s still important to educate yourself about natural gas safety, since even the smallest pipeline leak can have serious consequences.

Okaloosa Gas District is appealing to all excavators, including construction firms, landscaping companies, homebuilders and land developers, to remind them of safe digging practices. By law, all individuals and/or businesses planning any digging, ditching, drilling, leveling or plowing must contact 811 at least 48 hours beforehand. Natural gas pipelines will then be located and marked with bright, highly visible markers, free of charge. In addition, when excavating near a transmission line, a representative from Okaloosa Gas District must be present.

While most transmission pipelines are buried in rural, undeveloped areas, the growing population and booming economy have prompted more construction activity in and around these areas. To protect the safety of residents and the environment, and to allow our company to maintain the system, a pipeline’s Right of Way (ROW) must be kept clear of trees, buildings and other structures. “Now more than ever excavators and natural gas providers must work together, especially during a project’s planning stages, to prevent accidents and keep everyone safe. This is particularly critical for projects that could affect a pipeline ROW and easements,” says Gary Long, Vice President of Marketing for Okaloosa Gas District.

We know that most professional excavators in our community obey the law and call before they dig. These trained professionals can partner with our company to keep our communities safe by reporting any suspicious activity at or near their job sites. If you do notice suspicious activity, contact us at 850-729-4700. Then, call 9-1-1.

Here are a few safety tips for excavators to keep in mind:

• LOOK. Near a gas leak, you may notice blowing dirt, bubbling creeks or ponds, dry spots in moist areas or dead plants surrounded by live, green plants.
• LISTEN. An unusual hissing sound near a natural gas appliance or line may indicate a leak.
• SMELL. Natural gas utility companies add a harmless substance called mercaptan to the normally odorless fuel to create a rotten-egg-like smell. Note that gas flowing through transmission lines may not be treated with this substance yet.
• If you spot or smell a leak, don’t try to stop it or use anything that could create a spark—not even a cell phone, flashlight, etc. Instead, LEAVE THE AREA completely and then call Okaloosa Gas at 850-729-4700. If the smell of gas is particularly strong, call 9-1-1 as well.
• If you hit a gas line, call our company immediately, even if there appears to be no damage. Then, call 9-1-1.

Okaloosa Gas District serves natural gas customers in Okaloosa County, southern Santa Rosa County, portions of northern Escambia County, and southern Walton County. If you have questions about this news story, call 729-4700 or e-mail us.