Emergency Response Guide for Excavators, Landowners & Farmers

Excavating and aerial of farmland

Public Safety

  • Call ‘811’ before you dig by hand or with machinery. The call and the service are free, and could prevent accidents, injuries or deaths
  • Unauthorized digging by contractors, farmers, landscapers and homeowners is a leading cause of pipeline accidents
  • TransCanada is a member of the ‘811’ system in all states where it has facilities
  • Advise others to contact TransCanada before performing any activity that might damage the pipeline
  • Ensure contractors are aware of safe digging procedures and have called ‘811’ for a locate
  • Contact TransCanada if:
    • You observe any drilling, excavating or blasting in the vicinity of the pipeline that you believe we may not be aware of
    • Crossing our pipeline with heavy equipment
    • General Inquiries: 1.866.717.7473
    • Landowner Inquiries: U.S. 1.866.585.7063 (Note: this line is monitored Monday through Friday 7:30 AM. to 6 PM CST.)

Pipeline Location

  • Most pipelines are buried underground in an area of cleared land often referred to as the “right-of-way” and markers are used to indicate a pipeline’s approximate location as well as the name of the pipeline and the operator’s information
  • Only a TransCanada representative can determine the location and depth of the pipeline as it may not follow a straight course between marker signs
  • If you intend to use our pipeline right-of-way for a fire break, a TransCanada representative must be present
  • You can access further information regarding hazardous liquid and natural gas transmission pipelines located in your community by visiting the National Pipeline Mapping System website

Pipeline Markers

  • Pipeline marker signs contain important information, including the owner of the pipeline, the product shipped in the pipeline and emergency contact numbers
  • TransCanada uses a variety of markers and signs along rights-of-way to alert people to the general location of its pipelines. Markers are typically placed where the pipeline intersects streets, railroads, rivers, fence rows and in heavily congested areas
  • Do not rely on pipeline markers or signs to show you the pipeline’s location, path or depth. Instead call ‘811’. TransCanada and other utilities will send a representative to the proposed excavation site to mark buried utilities at no cost to you
  • It is against the law to willfully and knowingly deface, damage, remove or destroy any pipeline sign. If these signs are missing, damaged or otherwise unreadable, please contact TransCanada to replace them
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TransCanada is a leading North American energy infrastructure company with an industry-leading safety record. For more than 60 years, TransCanada has built, operates and maintained pipeline systems in a responsible and reliable way to meet the energy needs of North America. For more information about TransCanada, visit www.transcanada.com, read the TransCanada Blog, follow them on Twitter @TransCanada or connect on LinkedIn.