Ways to stay safe when working above ground or below

Safety is a top priority at SaskEnergy. Whether you’re planting a tree or undertaking a major construction project, there are important steps to follow when working near underground utility lines, including our natural gas lines.

Jesus Giraldo, a member of our Damage Prevention team, shares some tips to help keep you safe.

“Every project should start with a safe work plan and include proper digging practices,” says Jesus. “Without them, you can experience delays, costly damage to utility lines and equipment as well as personal injury and even death.

Ground Disturbance: Don’t mess around when digging in the ground.

All utility lines need to be located before digging or construction projects begin. Customers can get a line locate free of charge by contacting Sask 1st Call. Make sure to call at least three full working days before any work begins. You can visit Sask 1st Call’s website or phone 1-866-828-4888 for a line locate.  

“Getting a line locate is a simple step that can prevent damage to utility lines and, most importantly, prevent serious injuries," says Jesus.

When digging:

• use a shovel with a wooden or insulated handle
• use a round spade shovel
• never use sharp tools
• dig at a shallow angle of around 45 degrees
• don’t rush
• remove small amounts of dirt until the utility line is visible
• don’t step or jump on your shovel (utility lines are plastic and have a tracer wire the can be damaged easily) 
• be careful not to damage the protective coating of the utility line

To report damage to a gas line, call SaskEnergy’s emergency phone line at 1-888-700-0427 — any time day or night.

Encroachments: Be aware of what’s below when working above.

An encroachment is when any item or structure is built over top of a natural gas line, or interferes with access to our infrastructure.

“Encroachments are a safety issue, because they make it difficult for our employees to do their work during maintenance or emergencies,” says Jesus.

Examples of encroachments include a shed, cement pad, garage or deck. If you are building a fence, the posts must be 0.6 metres (two feet) from a utility line.

“If you are planning a project that has the potential to create an encroachment, it’s important to contact Sask 1st Call for a line locate, review the allowable conditions available online, or contact us for more information,” says Jesus. “This will ensure you don’t run the risk of having to fix or remove an encroachment at your own cost.”

Meter Safety: Leave it be so we can see.

Painting or altering your gas meter can cause it to malfunction. Covering or blocking the gas meter can also cause access issues for SaskEnergy or emergency responders.

“Be sure to keep the area around your gas meter clear to ensure that it can always be accessed easily and safely,” says Jesus.  

If your meter is damaged, please call us at 1-888-700-0427.