DPC Gallery
A Collection of images that highlight the importance of safe excavation and good damage prevention principles

"Cosmic Question: Which came first, the sign posts or the clear flags?"


 

Even if you are just pounding a post in the ground, don't take chances - call before you dig.

"A Study in What NOT to Do"


 

The yellow pipe stretching across this photo for more than 60 feet is a 16 inch diameter high pressure natural gas line. Attached to it are sling ropes for dewatering hoses. The 6 inch yellow gas distribution main on the right side has literally fallen out of its trench due to the collapse of the excavation walls. The man in the center is leaning on a conduit which contains a 25,000 volt electrical circuit. Never allow yourself to be placed in this kind of danger. Contact the facility owners for assistance in proper support of exposed facilities. Never sit on, lean on or use buried facilities for support.

PS: Shortly after this photo was taken the earth beneath the trackhoe at the end of the excavation caved in. The equipment operator narrowly reacted immediately miraculously avoiding falling into the excavation and on the high pressure gas line.

"Assumptions Can Be Dangerous"

This municipal crew was in the process of replacing a street light pole. As they were going to put it back into its original hole, they didn't bother to call Diggers Hotline for locates. The white cloud seen near the ground is natural gas coming from a 2 inch gas main that the crew struck with their auger while cleaning out the pole hole.

"Mind Your Marking Instructions"

The soil boring rig in this photo drilled into a high pressure gas transmission facility. The marking instructions were to follow a staked route approximately 75 feet away in the brushy area on the left side of the photo. Due to the terrain and the overhead power lines, the crew decided to move their bore to the center of an access road - at least 50 feet outside their marking instructions. Even though it was well outside of the marking instructions, the main had been located and marked about a month before the incident. Weather and age caused the marks to disappear over time. In addition, the supervisor for the crew had a drawing which clearly showed the position of the gas main in the road.