|
 | Safety
Procedures
Recognizing Natural Gas Emergencies |
what
are the common signs of a natural gas leak
what to
do if you suspect a leak
how to prevent pipeline
damage
how to recognize pipeline damage
what to do if a pipline is damaged
what
is carbon monoxide and its sources
preventing
carbon monoxide poisoning
what are the symptoms
of carbon monoxide poisoning
what to do if
you suspect carbon monoxide exposure
Common signs of a natural gas leak are:
- A
gas odor
- A
blowing or hissing sound
- Dirt
being blown or thrown in the air
- Water
being blown or thrown into the air at a pond or creek
- Fire
coming from the ground
- Brown
patches in vegetation near a pipeline right-of-way
- A
dry spot in a moist field
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If you suspect a gas leak:
Call
the Roanoke Gas Company emergency line immediately, and: - Shut
down any motorized equipment
- Avoid
using ignition sources such as telephones and electrical switches
- If
the odor is inside, open doors and windows
- Vacate
the area until a service technician or emergency personnel arrive
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Preventing pipeline damage:
To
prevent pipeline damage, remember: - Call
Miss Utility at 1-800-552-7001 (VA) or 1-800-245-4848 (WV) from 7:00 AM-5:00 PM
before beginning excavation or digging.
- Wait
at least 48 hours after calling or until the utility operators respond. Wait an
additional 24 hours if operators do not respond.
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Recognizing pipeline damage:
Common
signs of pipeline damage are: - Gas
escaping – hissing, bubbling, dead vegetation or gas odor
- Fire
involving or in the vicinity of a pipeline
- Explosion
involving or occurring near a pipeline
- Unauthorized
digging or construction near a pipeline
- Natural
disasters involving pipelines
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What to do if a pipeline is damaged:
Call
the Bluefield Gas Company’s emergency line immediately,
and:
- Do
not try to fix or repair the damage
- Let
the broken line ventilate, letting the gas escape into the air
- Do
not cover or hide the broken line
- Eliminate
any source of ignition from the area
- Do
not allow unnecessary people in the area
- If
warranted, call the local fire department
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What is carbon monoxide and its sources?
Carbon
monoxide is a poisonous gas that is odorless, colorless, tasteless and nonirritating.
When it is breathed into the body, it combines with the body’s blood and prevents
oxygen absorption. This interferes with the heart and brain functions and can
be fatal. Carbon
monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion of common fuels, such as natural
gas, propane, gasoline, and heating oil. It is found in the exhaust fumes from
motor vehicles and malfunctioning heating equipment.
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Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Never
operate vehicles in an enclosed area
- Keep
vents and chimneys clear of debris
- Never
operate charcoal or gas grills in an enclosed area
- Do
not use a range, oven or clothes dryer for heating
- Look
for signs of equipment problems, such as soot or water
collecting near a burner vent. Natural gas should produce
a clear blue flame – not a yellow or orange flame.
- Purchase
a certified CO detector and change the batteries on a regular basis.
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What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure?
- Dizziness,
headache, nausea, fatigue, and other "flu-like" complaints
- The
severity of the symptoms can vary due to age and general health as well as the
duration of the exposure.
- CARBON
MONOXIDE POISONING CAN BE FATAL
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If you suspect exposure . . .
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