Excavation Safety

Underground pipelines are the safest way to move petroleum products - and you can help keep it that way.

A gouge, scrape, dent, crease or other damage to the pipeline or its coating may cause a leak or break. In fact, the major cause of pipeline leaks is earth moving and construction equipment and tools owned by parties other than the pipeline company. Should you discover or cause what seems to be even minor damage to a TEPPCO pipeline, immediately notify us.

Help us keep YOU safe by calling TEPPCO at 800-530-1050 (TEPPCO Products Pipeline) or 800-220-1058 (TEPPCO Crude Oil Pipeline), if:

• You will be performing excavation work near our pipelines.
• You observe signs of a leak or potential damage to the pipeline.
• You are planning construction activity in the vicinity of our pipelines or operating facilities.

Remember: Communicate Before you Excavate

Where are Pipelines Located?
Since pipelines are normally buried underground, markers are used to show the approximate location of the line. The markers also display the name of the pipeline operator, the product transported in the line, and a telephone number where the operator can be reached in an emergency. They cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact position of the pipeline they mark.

If you are planning to dig, level land, ditch, blast or drill, remember that pipelines may be buried in the area. Please call TEPPCO at 1-800-877-3636 or your state's One Call System for locations of our pipelines. TEPPCO representatives know where our pipelines are and will locate and mark the line for you, as well as tell you how to work safety around the pipeline.

Pipelines in the Area? Contractors Don't Blow It.
Following is a list of TEPPCO's general requirements for construction in the vicinity of our pipelines. These requirements are provided in general form for information only. Specific circumstances may require special consideration.

1. No building or obstruction may be erected within the pipeline easement. The easement width will be provided by TEPPCO on request.
2. The grade may not be reduced within the pipeline easement. Additional fill may be deposited, with written approval from TEPPCO.
3. Proposed roads must cross the easement at an angle as near to 90 degrees as possible. If, in the sole judgment of TEPPCO, casing or other alterations are required to protect the pipelines, the owner and/or developer shall agree in writing to pay the cost prior to beginning construction.
4. Utility lines must be installed below TEPPCO's pipelines, with a minimum of 12 inches of clearance.
5. All low-voltage communications cable crossings (fiber optics, telephone, etc.) are to be installed beneath TEPPCO's pipeline, with a minimum clearance of 12 inches. Suitable backfill shall be placed between the cable crossing and TEPPCO's pipeline. Cable shall be installed as close as possible to a 90 degree angle with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline. Cable conduits should be encased in color-coded red concrete across the entire easement.
6. All underground electrical lines are to be installed with a minimum clearance of three feet beneath TEPPCO's pipeline. Cable shall be installed as close as possible to a 90 degree angle with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline, and the crossing route should be clearly and permanently marked on each side of the easement. Cables should be installed in a nonmetallic conduit that is encased in color-coded red concrete across the entire easement. If cables are greater than 600 volts, the neutral wires should be wound in a spiral around the rest of the wiring and grounded on each side of the easement. TEPPCO will determine the installation procedures for electrical lines with voltages of over 7,600 volts on an individual basis.
7. No parking area may be constructed over the pipeline without prior written approval from TEPPCO.
8. A TEPPCO representative must give approval for heavy equipment to cross the pipeline at any location.
9. No blasting is permitted within the easement area, and blasting is prohibited outside the easement area if it may be harmful to TEPPCO's facilities. Blasting codes shall be followed in all cases.
10. TEPPCO shall receive at least three working days notice of any work or excavation over or near its pipelines so that we may locate our pipeline and have a field representative present during excavation.
11. Mechanical digging equipment is not to be used for exposing the pipeline. After notice to TEPPCO, the lines can be exposed using hand tools, in the presence of a TEPPCO inspector.
12. TEPPCO wants developers and contractors to know the exact location of its pipelines, and we believe it is important that the lines be shown on the contractor's plans. At a developer's request, we will locate, stake and expose our pipelines at selected points.
13. Three copies of any proposed plan for work within our easement shall be submitted to TEPPCO for review at least 30 days prior to the commencement of work.
14. OSHA Regulation 1926.51 states that prior to any earth disturbance, utility or owners shall be notified.