Damage Prevention Starts with You

Columbia Gas strives to be a dependable partner to help you be safer and more efficient every day. Damage prevention is critical to protecting facilities, employees and customers. The well-being of the people and the communities we serve is of the utmost importance.

Columbia Gas Damage Prevention Specialists (DPS) are committed to partnering with excavators to prevent damages, complete jobs safely and more efficiently. Reach out to your local contact below to become a dedicated partner in safety together. We can assist with a variety of needs related to locates, markings and the overall safe digging procedures.

If you have an emergency, you should always call 911 and then call us at
1-800-344-4077 (24/7).

Follow these steps for safe excavation and remember to plan, prepare and dig with care!

Whether your project is big or small, contacting 811 before digging is the law and helps to avoid possible penalties, costly repairs, and injuries.

CONTACT 811
Anyone planning to excavate is required to contact OHIO811 by calling 811 or visiting oups.org at least two business days before work begins.

ALLOW REQUIRED TIME FOR MARKING
You need to wait two business days in Ohio for utility locators to have an opportunity to mark the location of utility lines with flags or a special spray paint.

RESPECT THE MARKS
In Ohio, the tolerance zone is defined as the width of the utility line plus 18 inches on each side. Do not use power digging equipment within the tolerance zone.

EXCAVATE CAREFULLY
State law requires that you hand dig or use other nonmechanical means within the tolerance zone.

Remember: Never assume pipeline location or depth. Locating procedures do not verify depth of main. Erosion, weather conditions, terrain modifications and previous digging projects can alter the landscape and bring pipelines closer to the surface.

Ohio Excavator DPS 00:02:37

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Partners in Safety

Excavators x Columbia Gas

Property loss. Project delays. Penalties and injuries.

The consequences of damaging an underground utility can be costly – not to mention dangerous.

That’s why, it's always best to have the Xperts Mark the Spot.

As an excavator, you should first contact 811 to have the experts mark underground utilities before work begins.

And team up with a Columbia Gas Damage Prevention Specialist – or DPS – right from the start.

Because without these important steps, you're digging in the dark.

Drilling blind.

Augering for trouble.

So, to help you stay safe out there and ensure your projects run smoothly, we've put together a few friendly reminders.

Let’s dig in already...or rather – don't!

Super: Call 811 Before You Dig

Before any project that requires digging, remember to first contact 811. It’s the law.

This way utility lines will be marked, identifying a clear route for digging safely on your jobsite.

When contacting 811:

Call or place a ticket at least 2 business days in advance.

Contact regardless of the depth you’ll be digging.

Wait for utility lines to be marked and check for positive response, confirming that all utilities have been located.

Then, start excavation within 10 days before your ticket expires, respecting the tolerance zone of 18 inches on either side of the pipe and hand exposing when required.

Super: Partner with Your Damage Prevention Specialist (DPS)

Don’t forget, in addition to calling 811, you can reach out to your dedicated DPS at any time.

Think of them as your safety sidekick…

At the ready to answer site-specific questions and assist with things like:

Locating issues, line relocations, replacement of broken materials, and more.

Basically, their job is to make your job easier, more efficient, and safer.

And the sooner you get in touch – and stay in touch – the better for everyone.

Super: What to Do If Damage Occurs

In the event a pipe is hit or you suspect a gas leak, remember to:

Leave the area immediately.

Turn off and abandon any equipment. Don’t use anything that might cause a spark.

Call 911 and Columbia Gas.

Stay a safe distance away, and keep the public away while you wait for crews to arrive.

And never try to restrict the flow of gas – it could make things worse.

Safer Together

Working together, we can help make sure your project stays on track and everyone in the community stays safe.

For more information on Ohio's laws regarding safe digging or to find the dedicated DPS for your territory, go to columbia gas ohio dot com slash excavators.

Specialists

Mike Lambdin (419) 270-0282	Beau Pearce (419) 266-9870	Tom Harris (614) 572-6042
Tom Henley (419) 957-0304	Keaton Wilson (440) 616-1193	Nick Reed (440) 616-0913
Larry Wilkin (740) 624-1900a	Don Austin (740) 381-1052	Lori Wade (614) 493-7368
Kermit Jeter (614) 557-0675	Corey Terry (614) 981-9035	T Schleich (937) 624-6706
Martin Wiesler (740) 541-5563

Click map to enlarge

Work Safe

See our Excavators Fact Sheet to learn about Pipeline Identification & Safe Excavation Practices.

Download in English Descargar en Español

Color codes for utilities

The flags and paint markings used by utilities indicate the type of utility that lies underground below.

Resources

Ohio811

Always call 811 at least two business days in advance to ensure lines can be marked prior to the start of your project. Visit Ohio811 for additional information.

Tips for Effective Use of 811
Watch this video from Common Ground Alliance to learn how you can help when making locate requests.

Provide quality information:
Specific dig site location and dimensions, correct contact name and phone number, and detailed description of work being performed.

Manage ticket quantity:
Give sufficient notice, eliminate unnecessary requests, and stop locates on completed jobs.

Ohio811 Excavator Manual and Universal Standard Markings
Basic information from Ohio811 on safe excavation practices in Ohio.

Paradigm Liaison Services – Ohio Pipeline Awareness
Ohio Pipeline Awareness information: safety information, annual meetings and meeting resources.

Cross Bore Safety
Cross Bores can pose a safety risk, if not addressed properly. Learn more about Cross Bore Safety.

Paving Over Valves
Read this important reminder about valves when completing restoration.

Emergency Information

Have an emergency?

Damage Prevention Starts with You

View Transcript

Specialists

Color codes for utilities

Resources