You Hit a Utility Line — What to Do Right Now

By Line Type: Exact Steps

🔴 Electric Line (Red Marks)

An electric line strike is potentially fatal. The hazards are electrocution from direct contact and arc flash — an explosive release of electrical energy that can cause severe burns from several feet away.

• Step back immediately — at least 30 feet from the strike point
• Do not touch the line, your tool, or anything near the strike — if your equipment is in contact with the line, do not touch it even if it looks fine
• Call 911 — electric line strikes are a public safety emergency
• Call your electric utility's emergency line — they will dispatch immediately to de-energize the line
• Keep everyone away — bystanders are at risk, not just the person who made the strike
• Do not resume work until the utility confirms the line is de-energized and safe

🟡 Gas or Petroleum Line (Yellow Marks)

A gas line strike is the highest-consequence event in residential excavation. Even a small nick in a gas main creates a leak that can accumulate to explosive concentrations rapidly.

• Stop all work immediately — do not try to cap or cover the leak
• Shut off all engines and equipment in the area — ignition sources are critical to eliminate
• Evacuate everyone from the area — minimum 300 feet
• Do not use phones, switches, or any electrical device near the strike site until safely away
• Call 911 from a safe distance
• Call the gas utility emergency line — found on your gas bill or the company's website
• Notify neighbors if the leak is near occupied structures
• Do not return until emergency responders and utility personnel confirm the area is safe

🟠 Telecom / Cable Line (Orange Marks)

Cutting a telecom or fiber optic line is not a physical safety emergency for the excavator, but the consequences can be severe legally and financially.

• Stop work in the immediate area
• Document the strike — photograph the location, the cut line, and surrounding marks
• Call the utility whose line was cut (the flag code identifies which company)
• Do not attempt to splice, cap, or repair the line yourself
• Report even if the line appears undamaged — a nick in a fiber bundle causes future failures

Fiber optic trunk lines can serve thousands of customers. Emergency repair bills are routinely sent to the excavator if 811 protocols were not followed. Even with a valid 811 ticket and proper compliance, report the strike immediately — utilities can sometimes repair faster if notified within minutes vs. hours.

🔵 Water Line (Blue Marks)

• Stop excavation at the strike point
• Call your water utility immediately — they can shut off flow to the affected main section
• Keep people away from the excavation — pressurized water lines can collapse soil walls rapidly
• If water is flowing heavily and causing soil erosion or flooding toward structures, call 911
• Document the break and your 811 ticket status before calling the utility

🟢 Sewer Line (Green Marks)

• Stop work, contact your municipal sewer authority
• Sewer lines carry raw sewage — treat the area as a biohazard until cleaned
• Wear gloves and avoid direct contact with any discharged material
• Do not attempt to plug or repair the line yourself

After Any Strike: Liability Basics

Whether you're liable for damage costs depends primarily on whether you had a valid, fully-responded 811 ticket before digging:

This is a general overview — actual liability determinations involve state law, utility company contracts, insurance policies, and specific circumstances. If significant damage occurs, consult a lawyer before making statements to the utility company.

What to Document After Any Strike

• Your 811 ticket number and submission date
• Photographs of all marks present before digging
• Photographs of the strike location and surrounding area
• Time and date of the incident
• Names and contact information of anyone present
• What equipment was in use at the time of the strike
• The utility's response time and personnel who responded

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