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Pipeline
Safety |
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WHAT
YOU NEED TO KNOW |
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There is an underground network
of pipes carrying a variety of petroleum products including
natural gas. Since pipelines are buried underground, line
markers like the ones shown here are used to indicate their
approximate location along the route. The markers can be
found where a pipeline intersects a street, highway or railroad.
The markers display
the material transported in the line, the name of the pipeline
operator, and a telephone number where the operator can
be reached in the event of an emergency.
Are
markers always placed on top of the pipeline?
Markers indicate the general
location of a pipeline. They cannot be relied upon to indicate
the exact position of the pipeline they mark. Also, the
pipeline may not follow a straight course between markers.
And, while markers are helpful in locating pipelines, they
are limited in the information they provide. They provide
no information, for example, on the depth or number of pipelines
in the vicinity.
Province of Ontario's
ONE-CALL!
Call
Before You Dig - It's the law. Contractors and homeowners
are legally required to know the location of buried natural gas pipes before
breaking ground and should use the One-Call before starting any
digging projects on or near any pipelines. These projects include
fences, flagpoles, landscaping, storage buildings, foundations, swimming
pools, ground clearing, deep plowing, laying underground pipe or wiring,
or any other "digging" projects.
Call
and let them know:
| -Who
is digging |
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| -When and where
you are digging |
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| -Why and how
you plan to dig |
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How
can you recognize a pipeline leak?
Sight, sound and smell are
helpful in detecting pipeline leaks.
Look for:
- Crude oil or liquid petroleum
products on the ground.
- A dense white cloud or fog.
- A spot of dead vegetation
in an otherwise green location may indicate a slow leak.
- Flames (if the leak has ignited).
Listen for:
- A roaring or hissing sound.
Smell for:
- A pungent odour, sometimes
like "rotten eggs".
- A gasoline-type odour.
What should you do
if you suspect a leak?
Your first concern should
be for your personal safety and that of those around you.
- Leave the leak area immediately
.
- Avoid driving into vapour
clouds.
- Avoid direct contact with
the escaping gas or liquids.
- Avoid creating sparks or
other sources of heat which could cause the escaping liquids
or vapour to ignite and burn. If you find yourself in an
area where you suspect hydrocarbon vapours are present,
do not light a match, start an engine or even switch on
an electric light.
- Call 9-1-1.
- Notify the pipeline operator.
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