Damaging a Utility Line

Facts about electricity

• Electricity always seeks a path to ground. When you become a part of this path you can be injured or killed.
• Good conductors include water, your body, tree branches, poles and ladders.
• Insulators isolate electricity, but they can also become a conductor if they're contaminated or broken.

Facts about natural gas

• Natural gas is colorless and non-toxic.
• Natural gas is odorized to smell like rotten eggs or skunks.
• Natural gas is combustible.
• Natural gas may become explosive when trapped in an enclosed space.
• Some ignition sources are light switches, garage door openers, pagers, cell phones, vehicles and other running equipment.

If your digging project damages a utility line:

1. Stop work immediately.
2. Do not attempt to repair the damaged line. If an injury has occurred, call 911 immediately.
3. Call 448-4800 to inform us of the damage. We will dispatch the proper crew to repair the damaged line.
4. Call the Utility Notification Center of Colorado (UNCC) at 8-1-1 to inform them of the damage - have your original locate request ticket number available.
5. Wait for proper crews to make repairs - they will inform you when it is safe to continue your project.

Natural gas safety tips

• If you damage a natural gas line:
  • Stop
  • Leave the area and warn others
  • Remove ignition sources, such as cell phones and cigarettes
  • Do not shut off, squeeze or clamp the gas line
  • Do not bury the broken or damaged line
  • Do not return until the area is declared safe

Electricity safety tips

• Survey the site for overhead power lines:
  • Point out the power lines to all of your crews.
  • Clearly mark your boundaries to keep people and equipment a safe distance away. Federal law requires at least 10 feet of clearance for voltages under 115,000 - the higher voltage the greater the distance.
  • If you must work closer, contact us at 448-4800 for safety arrangements.
• Assume all electric lines are energized.
• Always use a spotter. It is difficult for equipment operators to judge safe distances by themselves. Dedicate a person to keep employees and equipment safe.
• Never touch any utility wire and do not touch anyone who is in contact with an electric wire.
• Never enter substations.
• Never disconnect or reconnect electric service lines.
• If equipment comes in contact with an electric line:
  • Move the equipment away from the line if you can do so safely
  • Warn others to stay away; anyone on the ground who touches the equipment is in danger of being killed or injured
  • Stay on the equipment until an emergency responder indicates it is safe to get off
  • Jump clear without touching the ground and equipment at the same time if fire forces you off the equipment. Hop away with both legs together