August 26, 2024 – Vancouver, B.C. — BC 1 Call is marking September 16-20, 2024 as Sewer Safety Awareness Week, to raise awareness among British Columbians about the potential hazards of clearing a blocked sewer without first calling BC 1 Call. Over the last four years, 47% of gas line damage incidents related to work done on sewer infrastructure occurred due to failure to contact BC 1 Call, and 85% of such incidents were due to the failure to follow safe digging practices. These percentages include a number of sewer cross bore cases.
If a sewer blockage occurs within the home, the homeowner or a licensed plumber can handle it safely. However, if the obstruction is located outside the home’s foundation, there is a potential risk that a gas line cross bore exists in the sewer main (watch this video from FortisBC describing a cross-bore incident).
Fortunately, cases of sewer cross bores are now uncommon and can remain undetected and coexist safely until a sewer blockage necessitates clearing. If a sewer needs to be unblocked at the point of the cross bore, it becomes potentially hazardous. Before undertaking work to unblock a sewer outside their residence, a homeowner should first reduce the risk of hitting a gas line by:
- Calling BC 1 Call at 1-800-474-6886 and telling the agent you would like a “Cross Bore Check”
- BC 1 Call will notify its member that provides natural gas to the property, and that utility will dispatch someone expeditiously to perform a free onsite inspection
- If there is no cross bore, you or your plumber will be given the okay to clear the blockage.
- If there is a potential sewer cross bore, the gas line will be relocated at no cost to you.
Join Us in Promoting Sewer Safety
Sewer Safety Awareness Week is a new educational initiative that aims to raise awareness among the public and industry professionals of the need to do a “Cross Bore Check” with the local gas company before unblocking a sewer main outside of the home. Raising awareness of this safety best practice is supported by WorkSafeBC and BC’s key associations focused on safety in public works. BC 1 Call and the campaign’s founding supporters are keen to prevent avoidable injury and, over time, clear BC of all remaining sewer cross bore cases.
Consensus on the Importance of BC 1 Call’s Sewer Safety Week Campaign
“FortisBC is focused on eliminating all legacy instances of cross-bore gas lines running through unpressurized utility mains. In collaboration with WorkSafeBC and local governments, we have made great strides, and are keen to identify and correct the remaining locations. BC 1 Call’s Sewer Safety Awareness Campaign is an important way to raise awareness of the potential existence of cross bore gas lines in sewers. When workers and the general public place a BC 1 Call locate request for a cross bore check, FortisBC will dispatch an investigator to the site as soon as possible.” – Jimmy Yip, Damage Prevention Manager, FortisBC
“Ensuring worker safety when conducting this type of work starts with a simple but crucial step: calling BC 1 Call before work begins. By taking the time to verify underground utilities when clearing sewer lines, you can prevent hazardous situations and protect workers. Let’s prioritize calling ahead and doing our part to keep workers safe.” – Suzana Prpic, Prevention Field Services, WorkSafeBC
“BC Municipal Safety Association supports BC 1 Call’s 2024 Sewer Safety Awareness Week Campaign. This initiative highlights the importance of safety in sewer maintenance. Initiating a lateral (cross-bore) check with local gas companies before unblocking sewer lines is a critical health and safety practice. It ensures that the process of clearing blockages does not interfere with gas lines, thereby preventing potential incidents. Collaboration between municipal workers and gas companies can significantly enhance community safety. This practice is essential for maintaining health and safety standards.” — Mike Roberts, CEO, BC Municipal Safety Association
“BC 1 Call’s inaugural Sewer Safety Awareness Week is an important reminder for public works employees and contractors to always identify any cross bore gas lines lying within a blocked sewer line before undertaking work. Avoidable injuries can be easily prevented if you make the call to BC 1 Call and follow the safe digging instructions provided by gas companies.” – Pat Miller, Acting Executive Director & Board Member, Public Works Association of British Columbia
“Too many underground infrastructure damage incidents occur during sewer and water works and pose the risk of injury to workers and the general public. To reduce the risk of personal injury, the BC Water & Waste Association (BCWWA) strongly encourages all public works teams to ensure – before starting to clear a sewer main – that there is no cross-bore gas line in the main or, if there is, that it is removed or relocated by the gas company.” – Lee Coonfer, CEO, BC Water & Waste Association
Media Contact:
Brandon Wirsz
BC 1 Call
778-886-3929
communications@bc1c.ca
About BC 1 Call
BC 1 Call is the link between the excavating community and the owners of underground infrastructure. By contacting BC 1 Call, private landowners and commercial excavators reduce the risk of personal injury and property damage. BC 1 Call has over 370 members across British Columbia including municipalities, communication service providers, gas and pipeline companies, and irrigation and improvement districts. BC 1 Call is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and has support from the B.C. Energy Regulator (formerly the BC Oil and Gas Commission), the National Energy Board, Technical Safety B.C. and WorkSafe BC.