Accidents involving contractors and excavators are one of the leading causes of pipeline damage. With more than 101,000 miles of pipeline in SoCalGas® service territory, unmarked pipelines can be anywhere. Damage to pipelines can cause injury or death, and can result in additional costs.
Because of this, it's especially important for contractors and excavators to be informed of the potential safety issues that might arise when working around natural gas pipelines.
If you're a contractor or excavator, be sure to read through the following information before beginning your next project.
Call Before You Dig
The most important thing for you to do before performing any type of digging is to call 811 or request a ticket online through call811.com. We'll come to your excavation site to mark out natural gas pipelines and indicate pipe material (e.g. steel or plastic) so you know what they're made of and where they're located. This FREE service is critical for helping prevent pipeline damage. Learn More
How to Recognize and Respond to a Natural Gas Leak
Identifying natural gas leaks can help prevent injuries and minimize damage. Learn how to recognize a potential natural gas leak, and how to respond if you suspect one. Learn More
Purging Natural Gas Lines
Purging natural gas lines should be done only by qualified, experienced professionals. If you've been tasked with purging a natural gas line, be sure to read through the following safety information. Learn More
Shutting Off Natural Gas Service for Fumigation
Under the regulations of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), only SoCalGas® or its certified contractors are authorized to operate the natural gas service shut-off valve. If you need to have natural gas service shut off or restored due to fumigation, contact us at least two workdays prior to fumigation. Learn More
Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing
Learn about issues concerning corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) and learn about the applicable codes and manufacturers' instructions that need to be followed when working with it. Learn More
Additional Resources
