Page 7 - Texas811 issue 2

coming up with the tines. That was the last moment of DIY Dave’s projects as he had struck a 4” poly gas line and the engine of the trencher ignited it. Neighbors witnessed the horror of Dave being burned and called for emergency responders.
Dave was taken to the local hospital where they stabilized his condition for transport to a burn
unit in a neighboring town. While being treated with 3rd degree burns on his chest and face the investigators came to investigate the incident. Dave did his best to explain what happen but since he was on a respirator, he could only write a few sentences on a whiteboard.
The investigation ended the day Dave died from his injuries, but it was clear that Dave did not follow all the safety rules for his work because he never called 811 to have the underground utilities marked on his property.
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and field personnel understand the 811 state laws, safe digging best practices, and other tips to help your projects be completed damage free without the delays and expenses
of cutting a natural gas line. Most importantly, it is critical we cover how to stay safe in the event of a cut natural gas line.
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One life was
lost for not
calling 811 and
his incident
is still talked
about in that
neighborhood.
Dave’s house was sold a couple of months later to a nice couple who had children and appreciated the amount of yard that came with the house. They proceeded to have upgrades performed on the house and landscape but the one thing that they did and required of their contractor was to call 811 at least
2 days prior to the work beginning. They had heard what happened to Dave and learned from his mistake.
One life was lost for not calling 811 and his incident is still talked about in that neighborhood. The Home Owners Association requested a gas company representative to explain to them what “Know What’s Below, Call 811 Before You Dig” is all about and then amended the HOA rules to require an 811 call prior to any excavations in the neighborhood.
The moral of this story is “CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG OR YOU MAY BE CALLING 911!”. If you or your HOA would like to know more about 811 and pipeline safety, contact the Damage Prevention Council of Texas at www.dpcoftexas.org or your local gas utility for a free safety meeting and informational materials.
2023, Issue 2
Texas811 • 5