Investing in effective permanent markers pays for itself many times over through reduced damages. On top of a reduction in repair costs, fewer damages reduce the risk of major lawsuits and improve the reliability of the system, which leads to happier customers.

When someone with a shovel, auger or backhoe is about to dig over your pipeline, a permanent marker can be there to convey your message to “call before you dig”.

Many companies think that they have a permanent marking system because they have installed pipeline markers during construction; however, many permanent marking systems are not maintained with any regularity. Pipelines can be especially vulnerable when left unmarked in cities.

Common causes of third party damage

Ultimately pipeline companies and excavators have the same objective, to complete their project without damaging pipelines. A lack of communication and the number of non-professional excavators– such as property owners and small contractors – without good safety training programs, can lead to accidents that could easily be avoided.

A list of common circumstances that lead to third party damage by non-professional excavators is listed below.

• Problem: No permanent markers to warn the amateur excavator to call before they dig. This is especially common in urban areas where facilities are buried under pavement and landscaped areas.
• Solution: Low cost, permanent pavement, curb, and soil markers.

• Problem: Property owners don’t know to call before they dig on their own property.
• Solution: Low profile curb markers can serve as permanent reminders to homeowners, without generating ‘graffiti’ complaints.

• Problem: Unmaintained markers. No visible warning message may mean that no call is made to locate the buried asset.
• Solution: An ongoing permanent marker maintenance program, including conversion of low visibility markers into high visibility markers by maintenance crews. The few minutes spent installing a new marker may eliminate future damage that often lead to expensive time consuming repairs.

• Problem: Markers that cannot be seen from every direction.
• Solution: Use marker posts and legends that can be seen from anywhere on your right-of-way.

Key steps to create an effective permanent marking system

• Create a list of all the environments in which your system is operating – under paved surfaces, landscaped areas, farmland, wooded areas, areas prone to vandalism and areas used by off-road vehicles.
• Establish a standard message and colour scheme that conveys all the aspects of a warning message that you feel are important. Make sure your message is clear and concise, and use contrasting colours.
• Be sure that both your marker posts and warning messages can be seen from any direction.
• Create a system that is easy to maintain.
• Create systems that are safe. If you use a rigid marker or sign, be sure it is highly visible. This is especially important if ATV riders, snowmobilers, dirt bikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and/or pedestrians use your right-of-way. Flexible posts can reduce any risks associated with accidental impacts to your marker.

Permanent markers are your last line of defence against third party damage. When an excavator has not called to locate a buried asset and is standing above your facility about to dig, a permanent marker is the only thing left between your pipeline and almost certain damage. A permanent marker system, which is on duty seven days a week, 24 hours a day, costs far less than repairs.