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| Responding to Natural Gas Pipeline Leaks |
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| The greatest risk to natural gas pipelines is accidental damage during excavation. Protect yourself, your crew and the public by learning what to do if you contact a natural gas pipeline or suspect a gas leak on your job site. |
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| If You Contact a Gas Pipeline or You Suspect a Leak |
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Warn others and leave the area immediately. |
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Do NOT use matches, lighters or cigarettes (including e-cigarettes or vape pens), start an engine or operate any electrical device—even a phone. Any tiny spark could ignite leaking gas, causing a fire or explosion. |
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Do NOT attempt to stop the flow of gas or fix the pipeline. Leave the excavation open. |
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| 4. |
When you have reached a safe distance away, report the incident: |
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Call 911 immediately if gas is escaping. Federal code requires this. |
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Call Colorado Springs Utilities at 719‑448‑4800 if you suspect a gas leak or contact a pipeline, even if damage is not apparent. |
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Stay far away from the area until safety officials say it is safe to return. |
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| 6. |
Report the incident to your supervisor. |
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There’s No Such Thing as Minor Damage
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Even a slight gouge, scrape or dent to a pipeline or its coating may cause a break or leak. Damage to the tracer wire running alongside the pipeline may make the pipe difficult to locate. Report ALL gas line contacts to Colorado Springs Utilities at 719‑448‑4800 so that crews can inspect the line and make the necessary repairs.
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| Would You Like to Know More? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and educational tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on Colorado Springs Utilities’ e‑SMARTworkers website. |
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