MONROE COUNTY — Before beginning excavating projects, residents are reminded to make safety a priority. Michigan Gas Utilities offers a list of outdoor safety tips.
Call before you dig
Make sure to have buried lines located before any digging projects. State law requires you call at least three business days before you begin, call 811 or go to missdig811.org. Miss Dig is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Utilities will mark underground pipes at your site free of charge.
Read the map
In rural and urban communities, underground natural gas facilities can be found in places like streets and highways, around your home and business. General maps of these facilities are available to the public. For more information is available at npms.phmsa.dot.gov.
Pipeline awareness
Provide clear access for safety inspections. Keep right-of-way areas clear of trees and other structures.
Color codes
Flags are used to identify underground utility lines. Make sure you know the color codes Michigan uses: Red – electric; yellow – gas, oil, steam or petroleum; orange- communications systems; blue – potable water; purple – reclaimed water irrigation; green – sewer and drain lines; white – proposed excavation and pink – temporary surveying.
Meter and vent safety
Keep meters and vents clear of any overgrown grass or weeds. Think about meter access when landscaping.
Look and listen
Be aware of a possible gas leak. Signs could include a strong odor or hissing sound, or brown grass, plants or shrubs.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Natural gas line safety and detection basics: Keep these 6 tips in mind.
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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