Excavation damage continues to be a leading cause of pipeline incidents.
Pipeline incidents caused by excavation damage can result in fatalities and injuries, as well as significant costs, property damages, environmental damages, and unintentional fire or explosions.
State-specific Damage Prevention Information
A wealth of information related to excavation damage is available on each state’s page.
State Program Performance Metrics
Summary of State Damage Prevention Laws
A summary of state damage prevention laws is available on the Common Ground Alliance “State Resource and Information Map” website. To view, click here. The summary provides state damage prevention law requirements categorized relative to: Excavator Requirements; Operator Response; and, One Call Center information.
Pipeline Accidents and Incidents
PHMSA has created a heat map to display pipeline accidents and incidents caused by excavation damage. To view, click here.
PHMSA has collected pipeline incident reports since 1970. Over time, both the reporting regulations and incident report formats have evolved. To support consistent analysis, PHMSA has standardized and merged data across these varying formats to develop reliable pipeline incident trend lines spanning the past 20 years. To view, click here.
History of Damage Prevention
In October 2014 PHMSA submitted to Congress a report entitled, “A Study on the Impact of Excavation Damage on Pipeline Safety”. That report was prepared in response to a requirement in the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–90, January 3, 2012) that directed the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on the impact of excavation damage on pipeline safety, including the impact of removing all exemptions for mechanized equipment from State one-call laws.
In July 2015, PHMSA announced the issuance of a Final Rule to revise Federal pipeline safety regulations to establish the process for evaluating State excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs and enforcing minimum Federal damage prevention standards in States where damage prevention law enforcement is deemed inadequate or does not exist. The final rule amended the Federal pipeline safety regulations to establish:
- Criteria and procedures PHMSA will use to determine the adequacy of State pipeline excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs;
- The administrative process PHMSA will use in determining the adequacy of State excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs;
- The Federal requirements PHMSA will enforce in States with inadequate excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs; and
- The adjudication process for administrative enforcement proceedings against excavators where Federal authority is exercised.
The development of the review criteria and the subsequent determination of the adequacy of State excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs is intended to (1) encourage States to develop effective excavation damage prevention law enforcement programs to protect the public from the risk of pipeline ruptures caused by excavation damage, and (2) allow for Federal administrative enforcement action in States with inadequate enforcement programs.
To review the determinations of adequacy, click here.
Preventing Damage to Pipelines in Marine Environments
In response to marine pipeline incidents, the Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety (CDMCS) Pipeline Task Force was formed. For more information on the members and activities of this task force, and the efforts to prevent damages to pipelines in marine environments, click here.
In August 2017 PHMSA submitted to Congress the report titled “A Study on Improving Damage Prevention Technology.” Also see Appendix A to the Report, regarding PHMSA-Supported Research and Development Projects and its Competitive Academic Agreement Program. This study looked at improving existing damage prevention programs through technological improvements in location, mapping, excavation, and communications practices to prevent excavation damage to a pipe or its coating, including considerations of technical, operational, and economic feasibility and existing damage prevention programs.
Damage Prevention and the Nine Elements
Drawing on the definition of effective damage prevention programs found in the PIPES Act of 2006, PHMSA developed guidance to assist stakeholders by examining the nine elements specified in the PIPES Act and offering suggestions for implementing them at the state level. The guidance, “Strengthening State Damage Prevention Programs”, can support States to improve their programs by incorporating the nine elements and by identifying and implementing positive changes in processes, procedures, technologies and damage prevention laws.
PHMSA’s Community Liaisons (formerly Community Assistance and Technical Services)
PHMSA’s Community Liaisons serve as “trusted” and “credible” stewards of public safety and environmental protection by raising awareness and influencing change to continuously improve pipeline safety. If you need assistance with any of the following pipeline safety related matters, please contact a PHMSA Community Liaison today:
- Pipeline safety policy/programs (damage prevention, public awareness, emergency response, PIPA, etc.)
- Pipeline stakeholder engagement and outreach
- Pipeline technical services and support (public inquiries, whistleblowers, post incident/accident communications, siting and permit initiatives)
- Questions about pipeline safety in your community
Grants to States and Communities
PHMSA provides grants to states and local communities to help improve state damage prevention programs. For information on the State Damage Prevention (SDP) Program Grant, click here.
The Safe Digging Process
The primary tool for avoiding damages to underground facilities is timely communication between excavators and the owners of underground utilities. It is imperative to contact “811 Before You Dig” and to dig safely by always following safe digging practices. One-Call centers across the Nation facilitate this communication process by enabling an excavator to place just one call, prior to digging, to request that all underground utilities in the area of a planned excavation are located and marked.
811
811 is a toll free number that was established to reach the one-call center that will facilitate and notify the companies that may operate underground utilities in the area you plan to dig. Those companies can then determine and mark the exact location of their utilities so that you can avoid hitting those utilities when you excavate. Visit https://811beforeyoudig.com/ for more information.
Hitting underground utilities when you are digging can cause injuries, deaths, environmental damage, and loss of critical infrastructure and services. If you don’t contact 811, you could be liable for damage costs and repairs, as well as subject to potential penalties. It is important to contact 811 before you dig– anytime of the year and no matter who you are or how big or small your project is. Every Dig. Every Time.
Hitting underground utilities when you are digging can cause injuries, even deaths, environmental damage and loss of critical infrastructure and services. If you don’t make the call, you could be liable for damage costs and repairs, as well as subject to potential penalties. It is important to call the one-call center before you dig – anytime of the year and no matter who you are or how big or small your project is. The call is free so Call 811 Before You Dig.
Cross Bore Risk Reduction
Cross bores can have a significant impact on utility system integrity. A cross bore occurs when a newly installed underground utility line is inadvertently drilled through or intersects an existing underground facility, such as a sewer, septic line, or fiber optic conduit. This unintended intersection can create significant safety risks, including damage to the existing infrastructure and the potential release of hazardous materials, particularly if proper precautions are not taken during installation or subsequent excavation.
To mitigate these risks, excavators must ensure that all existing underground utilities are accurately located and clearly marked prior to any drilling or excavation activities. Adherence to applicable safety regulations, one-call requirements, and industry best practices is essential to preventing cross bores and protecting both workers and the public. Contractors and excavators are strongly encouraged to follow the Leading Practices for Cross Bore Risk Reduction developed by the Cross Bore Safety Association to enhance safety and reduce the risk of cross bores.
Common Ground Alliance
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is a member-driven organization comprising nearly 4,000 stakeholders across a broad range of industries, including excavators, locators, road builders, electric utilities, telecommunications, oil and gas distribution and transmission, one-call centers, public works agencies, equipment manufacturers, state regulators, insurance providers, emergency services, and engineering and design professionals. Dedicated to preventing damage to underground utility infrastructure and protecting those who live and work near these critical assets through a shared responsibility among its stakeholders, CGA was established in 2000 and is committed to saving lives and reducing damage to North American underground infrastructure by advancing effective damage prevention practices, both now and in the future.
Best Practices
In 1999, PHMSA published the Common Ground Study of One-Call Systems and Damage Prevention Best Practices. The Study identified and validated existing Best Practices to prevent damages to underground facilities. The Best Practices were intended to be shared among stakeholders involved with and dependent upon the safe and reliable operation, maintenance, construction, and protection of underground facilities. Stakeholders are encouraged to examine and evaluate the Best Practices for possible incorporation into state, local, and private stakeholder underground facility damage prevention programs.
In 2000, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) was formed to further the work completed during the Common Ground Study. Since the CGA’s establishment, the Best Practices have been regarded and utilized as an important resource for underground damage prevention. The Best Practices are designed to improve worker safety, protect vital underground infrastructure, and ensure public safety during excavation activities conducted near existing underground facilities.
Now widely recognized as the “Best Practices”, they are continuously reviewed by a CGA committee, and changes to existing Best Practices and new Best Practices are agreed on by consensus. The CGA releases a new edition of the Best Practices every spring with updates that reflect changes in damage prevention, including those caused by the always-evolving technologies that are at the core of progress in the industry.
Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT)
The CGA’s Data Reporting & Evaluation program collects and analyzes critical information regarding damage prevention and produces targeted recommendations to stakeholders about how to best protect buried facilities. To facilitate damage information data collection, the CGA launched the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) to enable stakeholders to submit underground damage and near-miss data reports through a completely secure, private web application. Using this information, the CGA publishes an annual DIRT Report & Analysis that includes data analysis, conclusions, and recommendations to identify areas where damage prevention programs are most effective and where enhancements are needed.
The CGA works cooperatively with myriad stakeholders, fostering a sense of shared responsibility to enhance safety and protect underground facilities by:
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Identifying and disseminating the stakeholder best practices;
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Developing and conducting public awareness and education programs;
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Sharing and disseminating damage prevention tools and technology; and
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Serving as a resource for damage and one call center data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
One-Call Technology Pilot Project
PHMSA partnered with damage prevention stakeholders in Virginia to use existing GPS technology to enhance the quality of communication among excavators and owners of underground facilities. The Phase I Report includes guidance on how other States could incorporate GPS technology in their One-Call Center communications.
Pipeline Operator Public Awareness Programs
Federal pipeline safety regulations require pipeline operators to conduct continuing public awareness programs to provide pipeline safety information to stakeholders.
Comprehensive Report on Pipeline Mechanical Damage
This work consolidates a collective knowledge on the many aspects of mechanical damage to pipelines. The report has three main parts addressing damage prevention, detection and characterization from primarily an onshore, transmission pipeline perspective. However, the prevention portion of this report is significant for gas distribution systems. Pipeline Mechanical Damage. [This is a large file (approx. 40 MB)].
Research & Development (R&D)
The importance of damage prevention is reflected within PHMSA’s R&D program where damage prevention initiatives have been funded to provide stakeholders with enhanced tools and technologies to reduce the risk of excavation-related damage.
PHMSA Advisory Bulletins
PHMSA has consistently taken a non-regulatory approach to pipeline damage prevention. The agency has issued Advisory Bulletins to emphasize important actions pipeline operators can take to protect their pipelines. In May 2002, we urged pipeline operators to follow the CGA Best Practices for damage prevention. In January 2006, we described preventable accidents caused by construction-related damage and called on operators to ensure they use qualified personnel to perform critical damage prevention tasks. In November 2006, we emphasized the importance of following damage prevention best practices, especially for marking the location of underground pipelines prior to excavation.
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