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Safety
Procedures
Recognizing Natural Gas Emergencies |
What
to do if you suspect a leak
What are the common signs of a natural gas 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
| What
to do if you suspect a gas leak . . . |
| Walk
away from the immediate area and warn others to stay
away. |
- Leave
any door you exit unlocked.
- Do
not operate any electrical switches or equipment,
including garage door openers, vehicles or telephones.
- Remain
at a nearby safe location until an emergency responder
arrives.
- Do
not go back to the immediate area until an emergency
responder says it is safe to do so.
|
| Once
at a safe location, call Roanoke Gas (540) 777-0623
or 911. |
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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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Preventing pipeline damage:
To
prevent pipeline damage, remember:
- Call
Miss Utility at 811 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 Roanoke 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 and propane
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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