‘Click Before You Dig’: Manitoba Hydro’s Landscaping Safety Tips for Homeowners – PortageOnline.com

This time of year, as people finish gardening, Manitoba Hydro reminds people to be careful around gas lines and meters, as well as overhead trees.

Peter Chura, media relations specialist, says it’s worth paying attention to hydraulic engineering facilities near your home.

“Be careful not to bury, block or obstruct access to any hydroelectric equipment. For example, a gas meter is attached to the house and must be accessible. This also applies to the gas line, which is known as the “riser,” which runs from the meter down into the ground and includes the shut-off valve. If you add dirt, rocks or other material to the house, be careful not to bury the riser and valve, as this valve may be needed in an emergency to quickly shut off the gas, which must be accessible at the top and bottom. A minimum of three inches of clearance is required if you are doing any work around the gas meter. Also, be careful not to damage it with heavy equipment, tools or equipment.”

He notes that there is always potential danger.

“When landscaping, if you’re using concrete or asphalt at the base of your gas line, make sure you put a plastic sleeve, such as PVC pipe coming out of the ground, around the riser to protect it from potential damage, such as ground shifts. Most people are aware of the risks and dangers, but when it comes time to landscaping, it’s a good idea to remember. And we like to pass on that reminder whenever, whenever we can.”

Chura notes that hydroelectric equipment occasionally gets blocked, but hopefully it’s not damaged. Be careful around hydroelectric equipment. This also applies to things like planting trees. Before you plant a tree, look up to see if the tree you’re planning to plant looks like it could touch an overhead power line as it grows, or find another location. Plant trees at least two meters away from power lines. Plant taller trees, such as willow, ash, maple and evergreens, at least six meters away from power lines.

Digging is often required during landscaping, and he adds that any time you plan to dig less than six inches deep, “Click before you dig.”

“Go to clickforadigmb.com so we can make sure there are no gas or electric lines where you plan to bury a new fence post, plant new trees, or install a fire pit. Click before you dig in the area you’re going to.”

Chura adds that if there is a large, green metal box in your garden called a ground-mounted transformer, it contains a transformer that steps down the voltage and electricity coming into your home and distributes it around the area.

“Don’t block the padlock side of the transformer that’s mounted on the pad if it’s our bushes, a fence or something like that. The padlock side needs to be accessible for our crews to come in and do maintenance from time to time.”

He explains that children often play nearby and these areas are safe as long as everyone knows there are cables underground, and digging requires doing some “Click Before You Dig” research first.

This time of year, as people finish gardening, Manitoba Hydro reminds everyone to be careful around gas lines, meters and overhead power lines.

Peter Chura, a spokesman for Manitoba Hydro, says it’s worth paying attention to hydro facilities near your home.

“Be careful not to bury, block or obstruct any hydroelectric equipment. For example, a gas meter is attached to the house and must be accessible. This includes the gas line, also known as the “riser pipe,” which runs from the meter down into the ground and includes the shut-off valve. If you add dirt, rocks or other material to the house, be careful not to bury the riser pipe or valve, as it may be needed to quickly shut off the gas in an emergency. The valve must be accessible from both the top and bottom, with at least three inches of clearance if you are doing any work around the gas meter. Also, be careful not to damage it with heavy equipment, tools or equipment.”

He notes that there is always potential danger.

“When landscaping, if you are using concrete or asphalt near the base of your gas line, make sure to install a protective plastic sleeve, such as PVC pipe, around the riser to protect it from potential damage, such as ground shifts. Most people are aware of the risks, but it’s good to be aware of them during landscaping season. We like to pass on this reminder whenever we can.”

Chura says hydroelectric equipment is sometimes blocked, but hopefully not damaged. He urges caution around hydroelectric equipment.

“This also applies to activities such as tree planting. Before you plant a tree, look up to see if it will touch an overhead power line as it grows. If it does, find another location. Plant trees at least two meters away from power lines. For taller trees such as willows, ash, maples or evergreens, plant them at least six meters away from the line.”

Digging is often required when landscaping. Chura advises that any time you plan to dig deeper than six inches, “Click before you dig.”

“Visit clickbeforeyoudigmb.com so we can make sure there are no gas or electric lines where you plan to put in a new fence post, plant trees, or install a fire pit. Always click before you dig.”

Chura adds that if there’s a large, green metal box in your garden, known as a panel-mount transformer, that’s where the transformer is located, which steps down the voltage of electricity coming into your house and distributes it around the area.

“Do not block the pad-mount transformer pad side with bushes, fencing, or anything else. The pad side must remain accessible so our crews can perform maintenance if necessary.”

He explains that while children often play around these transformers, they are safe as long as everyone knows the cables run underground. Any digging near them requires a “Click before you dig” request first.