Power
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Drainage(780) 412-4500
Natural Gas1-800-511-3447Edmonton
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Phone (in Alberta only): 310-4300Toll-Free (outside of Alberta): 1-800-667-2345
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Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.Saturday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Sunday & Stat Holidays Closed
The Information on this Page Applies to:
Underground electric cables are a hidden danger. Unlike working around overhead lines, workers are unable to see if they are getting too close to a cable. They must rely on an underground cable locator (locates) to assist with locating buried power lines and other underground cables.
Safe digging practices must be adhered to when dealing with underground cables and construction to keep everyone safe.
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Prior to any excavation, make sure all buried utilities in the area have been located.
Call Utility Safety Partners. Locates will take one to two weeks. Please ensure these timelines are included in your work schedule.
Ph: 1 (800) 242-3447Website: utilitysafety.ca
Here is what you need to know about if your proposed dig zone is near underground power lines/cables. If you have any questions about the information below, please contact EPCOR at (780) 412-4500 and ask for a referral to a Safety Codes Officer.
Download PDF on excavating near underground power lines. Download PDF
Fire/Threat to life call 911Otherwise, call EPCOR Power EmergenciesPh: (780) 412-4500
If your proposed dig zone is within 30 metres of underground transmission lines, the following message should appear on your locate sheet: ""CONFLICT" NO GROUND DISTURBANCE UNTIL CLEARED BY EPCOR TRANSMISSION. ARRANGE FOR SUPERVISION".
Find more information on the safe excavation requirements in Alberta in these sections of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 32 Excavating and Tunnelling:
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) or horizontal directional boring is often used for installing infrastructure such as cable, ducts, water, gas and telecommunications lines, particularly in heavily developed industrial and urban areas.
Horizontal drilling has some potential advantages, including cost-reduction; shorter completion times; and less disruption to traffic, property, and the environment. However, the risk to workers in the event of a power cable strike is high. If there is a cable strike, the current will travel from the point of contact to the equipment. The equipment itself (and the ground around it) has the potential to become energized for up to 10 metres, endangering anyone nearby.
If you are working within 7 metres of our overhead power equipment or digging within 1 metre of underground distribution power equipment, please take the time to do it safely. Familiarize yourself with the Alberta safety codes.Find out how we can help
Disclaimer
This webpage provides information regarding safe work practices in relation to EPCOR power facilities. Employers and contractors have responsibilities under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (Alberta OHS) Act, Code, and Regulation. When there is a conflict between this document and any bylaws, legislation, or regulation, the relevant law prevails. Any reliance placed on this information is strictly at your own risk. EPCOR does not assume any responsibility or liability for any action, loss or damage that arises out of, or is in connection with the information contained in this webpage.