Notice2026-07752
Pipeline Safety: Advisory Bulletin on Preventing Excavation Damage During National Safe Digging Month and Beyond
Primary source
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Published
April 21, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Abstract
PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to all owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to highlight the critical importance of excavation damage prevention during periods of significant infrastructure growth. This bulletin emphasizes the need for adherence to the Common Ground Alliance best practices, accurate and timely locating, and proactive coordination with excavators to prevent pipeline strikes. As April marks National Safe Digging Month, PHMSA encourages operators to reinforce safety protocols to protect the public and ensure the continued safe transportation of energy resources that drive American economic prosperity.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21368-21369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07752]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2026-1585]
Pipeline Safety: Advisory Bulletin on Preventing Excavation
Damage During National Safe Digging Month and Beyond
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice; issuance of advisory bulletin.
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SUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to all owners and
operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to highlight
the critical importance of excavation damage prevention during periods
of significant infrastructure growth. This bulletin emphasizes the need
for adherence to the Common Ground Alliance best practices, accurate
and timely locating, and proactive coordination with excavators to
prevent pipeline strikes. As April marks National Safe Digging Month,
PHMSA encourages operators to reinforce safety protocols to protect the
public and ensure the continued safe transportation of energy resources
that drive American economic prosperity.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Owners and operators of pipelines
subject to regulation by PHMSA should contact the appropriate PHMSA
Region Office. The PHMSA Region Offices and their contact information
are as follows:
<bullet> Eastern Region: 609-771-7800 (CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH,
NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV).
<bullet> Southern Region: 404-832-1147 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, PR,
SC, TN).
<bullet> Central Region: 816-329-3800 (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO,
NE, ND, SD, WI).
<bullet> Southwest Region: 713-272-2859 (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX).
<bullet> Western Region: 720-963-3160 (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT,
NV, OR, UT, WA, WY).
Owners and operators of intrastate pipelines should contact the
appropriate State pipeline safety authority. A list of State pipeline
safety authorities is available at <a href="http://www.napsr.org">www.napsr.org</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Excavation damage remains one of the leading causes of pipeline
incidents and accidents involving injuries, fatalities and property
damage. Since 2005, there have been over 875 excavation-related
pipeline incidents and accidents resulting in 40 fatalities, 166
serious injuries, and approximately $322,000,000 in property damage.
When accounting for all utility types, the estimated annual cost to the
U.S. economy is nearly $30 billion.
Based on the latest PHMSA data for 2025, there was a total of
85,606 excavation damages to gas distribution facilities across
35,813,977 excavation tickets nationwide, resulting in an overall
average of 2.39 damages per thousand tickets. For this same data,
excavator-related issues are the most frequent root cause, accounting
for 33,609 damages, which is approximately 39.3 percent of the total.
One-call notification issues are the second-most common cause with
29,472 damages, followed by locating issues at 20,305 damages.
Despite measurable improvements in safety performance and 811
``Before You Dig'' awareness programs over recent decades--largely
driven by enhanced preventative measures, regulatory oversight, and
mitigation practices, owners and operators of pipeline facilities
continue to experience excavation-related incidents and accidents,
particularly during times of economic growth and infrastructure
expansion.
I. Excavation-Related Safety Threats
<bullet> High-Density Excavation Activity. The rapid deployment of
fiber optics and other underground utilities often creates ``congested
corridors.'' PHMSA is aware of a trend where the volume of 811 tickets
can overwhelm local locating capacities, leading to delays or
inaccuracies in marking.
<bullet> Inaccurate Locating and Records Management. Recent
incidents, such as the 2025 explosion in Lexington, MO, underscore the
danger of improperly marked or ``unmapped'' facilities. In that event,
a strike on a capped gas main during a drilling project resulted in a
tragic loss of life and severe injuries. These events are often the
result of relying on legacy records that do not accurately reflect
modern field conditions.
<bullet> Improper Excavation Techniques. Failure to use non-
destructive excavation methods, such as hand digging or vacuum
excavation (potholing) within the tolerance zone, continues to be a
primary factor in mechanical damage to pipeline coatings and steel.
<bullet> One-Call Exemptions. In CY 2024, one State had more than
2,000 excavation damages where there was no legal requirement to call
811 when excavating above 16 inches. In 2025, an operator's interstate
pipeline was struck when a contractor was leveling an area to pour a
concrete parking lot. The contractor did not anticipate digging beyond
16 inches and therefore did not make a line locate request. The total
estimated release volume of crude oil was 2,363 barrels.
<bullet> Shallow Pipelines. Pipelines that have a shallow depth of
cover may pose an additional risk of being impacted by excavation
depending on their location. Recent incidents and accidents highlight
that when pipelines are in areas subject to agriculture tilling
practices, they remain at greater risk of being struck if the depth of
coverage is not maintained. Similarly, shallow pipelines in urban areas
may be at greater risk due to routine residential activities. Adding to
this risk is the fact that some States may exempt the need for one-call
notification for shallow excavations.
<bullet> Industrial Activities. Most pipeline rights-of-way (ROW)
are not secured. The landowners or tenants may conduct activities that
are detrimental to the pipeline assets within the ROW. In 2025, an
interstate pipeline transporting natural gas ruptured due to latent
excavation damage. The pipeline transected a recycling center that used
heavy equipment. Evidence suggests that the equipment struck the
pipeline. In 2023, an intrastate natural gas pipeline transecting a
cattle feedlot was struck by a wheel loader while performing routine
maintenance. The pipeline ruptured and injured the operator of the
wheel loader.
II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2026-05)
To: Owners and Operators of Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline
Facilities.
Subject: Pipeline Safety: Protecting Pipeline Integrity Through
Enhanced Damage Prevention and Coordination.
Advisory: In observance of National Safe Digging Month, owners and
operators are advised to consider implementing the following measures:
<bullet> Adopt CGA Best Practices: Fully integrate the Common
Ground Alliance (CGA) Best Practices into standard operating
procedures, specifically focusing on Practice 4-11 (Accuracy of
Locating) and Practice 5-23 (Rapid Response to Strikes).
<bullet> Enhance Locator Training and Oversight: Ensure that both
internal and contract locators have the tools and time necessary to
provide accurate markings. Conduct periodic audits of locator
performance in high-growth areas.
<bullet> Proactive ``White Lining'' and Pre-Construction Meetings:
Encourage or require excavators to ``white line'' proposed dig areas.
For large-scale projects, conduct pre-construction
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meetings to discuss pipeline depth, pressure, and emergency contact
protocols.
<bullet> Public Awareness Campaigns: Leverage the 811 ``Before You
Dig'' message in community outreach. Emphasize that the new jobs and
infrastructure currently being built are only as secure as the safety
practices used to install them. Consider implementing communication
strategies that deliver clear, actionable guidance on recognizing and
responding to pipeline releases; expanding outreach beyond traditional
methods to better reach affected populations; establishing performance
measures to evaluate program effectiveness; and incorporating
continuous improvement practices informed by incident data, stakeholder
feedback, and lessons learned. Strengthening public awareness programs
in this manner can improve stakeholder understanding and help mitigate
the consequences of excavation-related incidents. Operators should also
consider raising public awareness of the increased risk presented in
States with exemptions or one-call exclusions.
<bullet> Verify Integrity After Near-Misses: If a pipeline is
struck or scraped, even if no leak is detected, perform a thorough
inspection of the pipe and coating. Latent damage can lead to future
stress corrosion cracking or delayed failure.
<bullet> Patrols and Public Awareness: Patrols should inform
operators of excavation activities that may impinge on pipeline ROWs.
Operators should act quickly to follow up on any observed impingements
to ensure that the excavation activity does not pose a threat to the
pipeline.
III. Regulatory Oversight
Owners and operators are reminded that under 49 CFR 192.613 and
195.401, they must have a procedure for continuing surveillance of
their facilities. Managing the risks associated with third-party
excavation is a critical component of these regulatory requirements.
PHMSA notes that this advisory bulletin does not have the force and
effect of law and is not meant to bind owners, operators, or the public
in any way.
Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR
1.97.
Linda Daugherty,
Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2026-07752 Filed 4-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 21, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.