April is National Safe Digging Month
Category: Nevada
Southwest Gas reminds the public to call 811 before digging for safety
Las Vegas – Southwest Gas knows these are trying and uncertain times as we face the COVID 19 crisis. As more people are staying home to help flatten the curve, many are spending time with DIY projects around the house and yard.
April is Safe Digging Month and Southwest Gas wants to remind both professional excavators and do-it-yourself homeowners that one easy, no-charge phone call to 811 quickly begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked for free. Call 811 is for residential and commercial digging jobs of all sizes, from planting trees to mailbox installation to large construction projects. Calling 811 before starting any digging project is critical to preventing accidents from disturbing underground infrastructure.
For best results, call 811 at least two full working days prior to digging and the utility companies will locate and mark the underground lines, pipes, and cables at or near a planned dig site. You can also request a dig ticket online by visiting USA North.
Last year, 97 incidents occurred throughout Nevada where pipeline was damaged because people did not call 811 before digging. Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities can result in serious injuries, service disruptions, and repairs when natural gas, electric, communications, water, and sewer lines are damaged.
A natural gas leak can be detected by a distinct sulfur-like odor, similar to rotten eggs, even if it is faint or momentary. Unusual hissing or roaring coming from the ground or an above-ground pipeline, bubbling water and discolored plants or grass surrounding a pipeline can also be signs of a leak.
It is also important to be informed of what utility markings on the ground mean. In the United States, uniform color codes for temporary marking of underground utilities are:
- RED – electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cables
- ORANGE – communication, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduit
- YELLOW – gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous materials
- GREEN – sewers and drain lines
- BLUE – potable water
- PURPLE – reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
- PINK – temporary survey markings
- WHITE – proposed excavation
For more information about natural gas safety, visit
swgas.com/safety
.
For more information:
Stephen Miller- 702-468-8687
