Mo Safe Gas

Get the 411 on 811

Missouri's Association of Natural Gas Operators thought that August 11 (8-11) would be the perfect time to give you the 411 on 811 (the National Call Before You Dig Number).  It's simple and it's free.  Simply dial 811 from anywhere in the country prior to beginning your digging project.  Your call will automatically be routed to your local One Call Center.  

The operator will gather specific information on your project and will notify affected local utility companies about your intent to dig.  The utilities will then send a locator to mark the approximate location of underground facilities such as pipes, electric lines, and telecommunications so you'll know what's below.    Wait for the lines to be marked (3 working days in Missouri) and then dig safely!

Always call 811 before you start any digging project!  

 

MANGO Safety Seminar

In an effort to increase pipeline safety in Missouri, the Missouri Association of Natural Gas Operators (MANGO) annually hosts a pipeline safety seminar. The 3 day seminar provides an opportunity for all natural gas operators in the state to learn more about existing and upcoming safety regulations, see new technology used in the industry and share ideas/best practices with other operators in an effort to improve pipeline safety.  The seminar will be held at the Lake of the Ozarks on June 29th - July 1st.  Topics that will be discussed include public awareness, disaster recovery, and lessons learned from recent incidents in the industry. 

This is just one more way your Missouri natural gas operators are working to keep you safe. 

Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration launches new safety website

PHMSA launched a new Pipeline Safety Awareness website that will provide the public, community planners and developers an easy to understand, accessible place for information and guidance on locating area pipelines. The new website is part of the Department’s pipeline safety action plan to address immediate concerns in pipeline safety, such as ensuring pipeline operators know the age and condition of their pipelines; and proposing new regulations to strengthen reporting and inspection requirements.

"Most people have no idea about the pipelines running under their houses and through their neighborhoods," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "As part of my national call to action on pipeline safety, we are launching this website to provide the public with information about the location of these pipelines and the safety record of the companies that operate them." The web site includes safety advisories on specific pipelines, as well as maps, reports, research, frequently asked questions and other resources to help inform the public on their local pipeline infrastructure. PHMSA will continue to update and add new information to the website as it becomes available. “Ensuring the public has access to information about local pipelines will help keep people safe and reduce the potential for serious accidents,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman.

USE YOUR SENSES

A natural gas leak is typically recognized by its odor.  Pure natural gas is colorless and odorless but before it is delivered to your home, an odorant called mercaptan is added to give gas its distinctive odor so you can smell a leak immediately.  Mercaptan makes gas smell like sulfur or "rotten eggs". 

Although natural gas is colorless, there are still visual and audible signs that may indicate a natural gas leak.  Blowing dirt, dead vegetation in an otherwise green area and bubbling water are all indications that a natural gas leak may have occured.  Also, if you hear a hissing or whistling sound, it could be a natural gas leak.

If you ever suspect a natural gas leak, contact your LOCAL NATURAL GAS OPERATOR immediately.

 

U.S. Department of Transportation Launches Pipeline Safety Awareness Website

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today launched a new Pipeline Safety Awareness website that will provide the public, community planners and developers an easy to understand, accessible place for information and guidance on locating area pipelines.

“Most people have no idea about the pipelines running under their houses and through their neighborhoods,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  “As part of my national call to action on pipeline safety, we are launching this website to provide the public with information about the location of these pipelines and the safety record of the companies that operate them.”

The web site includes safety advisories on specific pipelines, as well as maps, reports, research, frequently asked questions and other resources to help inform the public on their local pipeline infrastructure.  PHMSA will continue to update and add new information to the website as it becomes available.

“Ensuring the public has access to information about local pipelines will help keep people safe and reduce the potential for serious accidents,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman.

The launch of the website was announced today by Secretary LaHood at the Department’s National Pipeline Safety Forum. The Secretary hosted the safety forum to bring together State officials, industry leaders and other pipeline safety stakeholders to discuss the need to accelerate the rehabilitation, repair and replacement of high-risk pipeline infrastructure. 

The new website is part of the Department’s pipeline safety action plan to address immediate concerns in pipeline safety, such as ensuring pipeline operators know the age and condition of their pipelines; and proposing new regulations to strengthen reporting and inspection requirements. The website is http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov/pipelineforum/

CALL 811 BEFORE PLANTING TREES THIS EARTH DAY AND ARBOR DAY

Don’t let a digging accident diminish environmental efforts

The Missouri Association of Natural Gas Operators recognizes that many people will be planting trees for Earth Day and Arbor Day projects, so it is important to remember to call 811 at least 3 days ahead of time to have underground utility lines marked before digging begins.

Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages. Volunteers are responsible for having lines marked, regardless of whether they are planting a sapling or a full-grown tree.

Everyone who calls 811 is connected to Missouri One-Call which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the caller‘s intent to dig. Professional locators are sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once lines have been properly marked, digging can begin around the marked lines.

The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surface. There are more than 170,000 utility damages every year, in which one in three are the result from failure to call 811.

―With the possibility of utility lines only a few inches from the surface, this simple call to 811 will help volunteers, contractors and do-it-yourself diggers avoid striking an underground utility line.

Visit www.call811.com for more state information about 811 and the call-before-you-dig process.

MAKE A CALL TO 811 PART OF YOUR SPRINGTIME PLANS

Spring is finally here! With the snow melted and the ground ready for planting, eager homeowners like you are gearing up to start those outdoor digging projects. Before you reach for that shovel to start digging, remember to call 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, to ensure that your buried utility lines are marked.

The Common Ground Alliance and its 1,400 members, including Missouri Natural Gas Operators, recognize April as National Safe Digging Month. Throughout April, the Missouri Association of Natural Gas Operators will be promoting National Safe Digging Month through statewide outreach and local events. For more information, visit www.call811.com.

National Safe Digging Month was designated to remind Missouri residents that our land is made up of a complex underground infrastructure of pipelines, wires and cables. Striking an underground utility line while digging can cause harm to you or those around you, disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, and potentially result in fines and repair costs.

A call must be placed to 811 before every digging project, from simple landscaping projects like planting trees or shrubs, to building a deck or installing a rural mailbox. There are 170,000 underground utilities damaged annually across the nation, and one out of every three incidents is the result of not calling 811. Don‘t become part of the statistic – make sure to call 811!

Here’s how it works:

One free, simple phone call to 811 makes it easy for Missouri One-Call (DIG-RITE) to notify all appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig.

Call at least 3 days prior to digging to ensure enough time for utility lines to be properly marked.

When you call 811, a representative from Missouri One-Call (DIG-RITE) will ask for the location and description of your digging project.

Missouri One-Call (DIG-RITE) will notify affected utility companies, who will then send a professional locator to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of your lines.

Once lines have been properly marked, roll up those sleeves and carefully dig around the marked areas.

 

Furnace Safety Tips

Have your heating equipment inspected annually by a qualified plumbing or heating professional to ensure that it is clean and in good working order. Properly adjusted pilots and burners and clean filters, as well as clear chimneys, vents and flues, pay off in both safety and savings. Leaves, bird nests, fallen bricks or mortar can cause problems, including exposure to carbon monoxide (CO). 

Don't forget that gas appliances and meter sets need their space.   Flammable material close to gas appliances and snow, ice and other debris around gas meter sets and gas appliance vents can create hazardous situations.  Never use the area around your gas appliances for storage. 

And, of course, if you smell gas, call your local gas operator from another location immediately to report the leak! 

Stay safe.

 

 

 

Back To School

Summer's over.  Kids are headed back to school.  Amid the hustle and bustle, we should take a little time to focus on kid's safety.  Everyone always thinks of the obvious safety topics for this time of year...bus safety, fire drills, stranger danger.  Natural gas safety isn't something that typically comes to mind for most parents but it is important.  Take some time to talk to your kid's about how to recognize and react to a natural gas leak.  For more information, games, and fun activities to help teach kids about natural gas safety, check out this link to the Natural Gas Safety World.  Check with your local natural gas operator to see if they offer educational materials or gas safety presentations for children.  

Spring Is Right Around the Corner

Warmer weather is on its way.  This time of year, many people will begin planning their outdoor projects.  Keep your spring digging projects safe.  Include a call to MO One-Call at 1-800-DIG-RITE in your plan.  The member utilities will come out and mark their utilities.  It's free and it's the law! 

All you need to do is CALL-WAIT-DIG!    And remember that the depth of utility lines vary so don't make any assumptions when digging.  Digging without knowing what is below the ground is risky business.  You could disrupt service to an entire neighborhood or hurt yourself and others around you.  Also damaging utility lines could potentially result in hefty fines and repair costs. So protect yourself and your family and call MO One-Call or 811 before you dig!