(Columbus, OH) – April is National Safe Digging Month, and Columbia Gas is reminding Ohio residents and contractors to contact 811 before starting any digging project to help prevent damage to underground natural gas pipelines and other buried utilities.
Spring weather brings an increase in outdoor projects such as planting trees, installing fences, building decks and other construction work. Striking a buried natural gas line can result in serious injury, service disruption and costly repairs. Many of these outcomes are preventable by contacting 811 before any digging begins.
“Our pipelines serve communities across Ohio every day, often unnoticed,” said Bob Heidorn, Columbia Gas of Ohio President & COO. “Contacting 811 before digging helps ensure those systems continue to operate safely while protecting families, neighbors and first responders.”
Calling 811 or visiting OUPS.org at least two business days before starting a project gives utility crews time to mark underground lines with color-coded flags or spray paint. Even small or shallow projects require an 811 request, as pipelines may be buried just inches below the surface due to erosion, landscaping changes or prior construction.
If a natural gas line is damaged or a gas leak is suspected, individuals should STOP work immediately, LEAVE the area, and CALL 911 and Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077 from a safe location.
For more information about safe digging practices, visit OUPS.org or ColumbiaGasOhio.com.
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About Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers clean, dependable and efficient natural gas to approximately 1.5 million customers across the state. With headquarters in Columbus, it is the largest natural gas utility in Ohio. Columbia Gas of Ohio is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers, and guided by our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner. More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource, including its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2040, is available at www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.NiSource.com.
