Construction

Toolbox Talk Buried Utilities and Safety

It is important to know the location of underground utility 

lines on job sites. Rupturing or breaking underground 

utilities such as electrical power cables and gas lines can 

result in serious injuries or even death.

A Worksite Story 

A construction crew was using an auger to dig a 

hole to anchor a utility pole support cable. Suddenly 

the auger hit a small plastic gas line. Escaping gas 

soon reached a nearby building, where it ignited 

about 20 minutes later. Four people died and 15 

were injured. In addition, three buildings were 

destroyed and more than a dozen others had 

extensive damage. 

# What caused this incident? 

# How could this have been prevented?

# Have you ever been injured while working 

around buried utilities, or do you know someone 

who has? If so, what happened? 

Remember This

Before digging:

• Check with your supervisor to make sure utility 

companies have been notified and that all underground lines have been properly marked. 

– Look for paint, flags, or stakes marking locations 

of electrical lines (marked with red) and gas lines 

(marked with yellow). 

– Electrical lines should also have a warning device, 

such as a range control or limit. 

• If you do not see any markings and are on public land, 

you can call 811 to make sure that it is safe to dig.

• If you are on private property, ask your supervisor or 

the property owner to have a private utility locating 

service locate the utilities before you start digging.

• Review marked-out areas. They may not be exact. If you 

are not sure about the markings, ask your supervisor or 

call the utility company to verify before digging. 

• Plan to dig by hand when working within 2 feet of a 

mark-out, to make sure you do not hit a utility line or 

conduit with heavy equipment. Ask your supervisor or 

call the expert who will review the work area before 

work begins and as needed during your shift. 

When digging

• Look for:

– Signs of previous digging

– Changes in soil types

– Asphalt patches or depressions

– Concrete, plastic, or gravel

• If you hit a line, you must report it! If it is a gas line, 

evacuate everyone immediately, secure the area, and 

call the fire department and the gas utility company. 

How can we stay safe today?

What will we do at the worksite to prevent injuries from buried utilities?

OSHA Standards: 1926.651 and 1926.652; 1926.1408
Construction

Toolbox Talk Buried Utilities and Safety

; Check with your supervisor to confirm that utilities have been properly marked before digging.

; Look for paint, flags, or stakes marking locations of utilities—electrical lines are marked with red and gas lines are marked

with yellow. If you are on public land and do not see markings, call 811 to find out if it is safe to dig.

; If you hit a line, report it immediately! If it is a gas line, evacuate everyone immediately, secure the area, and call the fire

department and the gas utility company.

GET 

INFORMATION

CDC/NIOSH INFO: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) | TTY: 1-800-232-6348 | www.cdc.gov/info | www.cdc.gov/niosh

CPWR: Contact 301-578-8500 | cpwr-r2p@cpwr.com | www.cpwr.com/toolbox-talks

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2022-139 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2022139 | August 2022