| 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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| Color-coded markings: Respecting more than just the mark |
| When you call in a utility locate request, a rainbow of colors could be used to mark your dig area. Do you know what each color means? Knowing what each color stands for lets you know what’s below. Knowing what’s below promotes utility safety and damage prevention. |
| Red |
Electric power lines |
| Pink |
Temporary survey markings |
| White |
Proposed excavation |
| Yellow |
Gas, oil or steam |
| Blue |
Potable water |
| Green |
Sewers and drain lines |
| Orange |
Communications lines, cables or conduit |
| Purple |
Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines |
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| APWA Uniform Color Code |
| Know the color code |
| As you can see from the American Public Works Association (APWA) chart, each color denotes an underground utility line type. Utility locators use associated colored flags or paint marks on the ground to mark utility locations temporarily so that you can dig a safe distance away from them. For example, locators will use: |
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Red markings to denote National Grid’s electric lines |
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Yellow markings to indicate underground gas mains or distribution lines |
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In addition, yellow high‑visibility permanent markers indicate our gas transmission pipelines. By using the APWA color code, locators help excavators, as well as property owners, avoid utility contact. |
| Respect the marks and dig with care |
| During your next excavation project (whether large or small, deep or shallow), remember to: |
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Use white paint, flags and/or stakes to pre‑mark your proposed dig area. |
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Make a locate request through your state 811 center before you dig. |
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Never ignore your state’s required wait time after submitting your request. |
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Query the property owner about private utilities, and if any are present or suspected, hire a private locating company to mark lines so you can dig safely. |
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Preserve the utility markings, and request a remark if they are missing or disturbed in any way before you dig. |
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Notify us immediately if you contact an electric or natural gas line. |
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| Always contact your state 811 center before digging and for the most current requirements. |
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