Damage Prevention: A Shared Responsibility Beneath Our Feet

- Gianna Soupouli, Public Awareness Coordinator, Trans Mountain 

Across Alberta, damage prevention is evolving as development expands, equipment grows heavier, and underground networks become more complex. Whether you’re a landowner, contractor, or industry professional, understanding what constitutes a ground disturbance, and what permissions are required before work begins, is essential to keeping people, property, and the environment safe.

Pipelines remain the safest way to transport petroleum products, but we rely on everyone doing their part. Even seemingly minor activities can compromise buried infrastructure if they’re done without proper planning and notification. At Trans Mountain, we continue to see a rise in ground disturbances such as vehicle crossings and fence installations. 

Vehicle crossings are one of the most common activities that can unintentionally put pipeline safety at risk. Any off‑road movement across the pipeline right-of-way —whether on private land, construction sites, or temporary access routes—requires Trans Mountain’s prior assessment. It helps determine whether protective measures such as rig matting, increased cover, or alternate routing are needed. Unauthorized crossings may seem harmless, but repeated or heavy loads can reduce cover, compromise pipe integrity, and create long‑term safety concerns. 

Fence installation is another potential source of preventable damage. Driving posts into the ground or removing old ones can strike or expose buried utilities, especially where infrastructure is shallow. Routine tasks—repairing livestock fencing, replacing a garden enclosure, or installing a new gate—can quickly escalate into serious safety incidents if underground lines are hit. These risks apply equally to pipelines, power lines, telecommunications cables, and gas distribution systems. 

Utility Safety Partners: The First Step in Every Safe Project

The most effective best practice remains unchanged: always contact Utility Safety Partners before you dig. Submitting a locate request provides utility owners with the information they need to mark buried infrastructure and advise on next steps. In Alberta, a minimum of three full working days’ notice is required for routine requests.

It’s important to remember that placing a request with Utility Safety Partners does not mean you are clear to excavate. You are only cleared once all utilities have responded and their facilities have been located. The excavator is responsible for ensuring no damage occurs during the work, even when locates are provided.

Damage prevention starts long before the first shovel hits the ground. By taking the time to understand what’s below, who needs to be notified, and what approvals are required, we can all contribute to safer communities and a stronger underground network across Alberta. Always remember to submit a locate request online at clickbeforeyoudig.com or call 1.800.242.3447.