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| Welcome to National Grid’s Tips of the Trade. National Grid is committed to your safety, and these tips are intended to help you work safely near our natural gas pipelines. Please review these tips with your coworkers at your tailgate or toolbox meetings before work begins. |
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| Always pre-mark your dig area |
| Do you have a project that involves digging? If so, be sure to pre-mark your dig area to indicate exactly where your excavation will take place. |
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| What is pre-marking? Why is it important? |
| Pre-marking, also known as white-lining or white-marking, involves outlining the boundaries of your proposed dig area or route. Pre-marks prevent confusion, delays and errors by showing utility-locate personnel exactly where your excavation will take place. Pre-marks are required by law in Massachusetts. They are required in New York if you cannot adequately identify your dig site on your 811 locate request. |
| Pre-marking tips |
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Outline the boundaries of your proposed dig area or route with white paint, flags and/or stakes before you contact the 811 service. |
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When spray painting, use a continuous line, dots or dashes 6 to 12 inches long. |
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For trenching, boring or other continuous-type excavations, mark the proposed centerline, and use arrows to show the direction of your excavation. |
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Include your company name at reasonable intervals. |
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When you contact the 811 center with your locate request, let them know you have pre-marked, and explain where on the property the locator can find your marks. |
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| Always contact your state 811 center before digging and for the most current requirements. |
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