On April 15, 2020, Northern Natural Gas was notified by its contracted aerial patrol pilot of an excavation taking place on a section of two-inch-diameter high-pressure natural gas transmission pipeline that serves the town of Lamont, Iowa. The pipeline operates at approximately 870 psig. A Northern employee was immediately dispatched to the location and discovered that no One Call ticket request was made by the excavator. The landowner, Gary Crawford, was the owner/operator of the backhoe attempting to repair drain tile, with the assistance of his two teenage grandsons. Mr. Crawford did not realize he was close to the pipeline and, in fact, fortunately stopped the excavation within approximately 12 to 18 inches from the pipeline.
The landowner was willing to assist with producing a damage prevention safety video. He and his family members were interviewed on their family farm near Independence, Iowa. Although the incident took place in Iowa, the story and accompanying message is appropriate for every state where Northern operates facilities. Key messages designed to reinforce Northern’s safe digging practices and the Call Before You Dig process were interjected into the interviews. Iowa One Call partnered with Northern to produce the video.
Mr. Crawford is a well-respected farmer in the area and his compelling, genuine account of the day’s events and his personal reaction to narrowly escaping tragic consequences will likely connect with fellow farmers, the agricultural community, drain tilers and excavators.
Approximate viewing time: 11 minutes (2021)