TxDOT employees should become familiar with the hazards involved with transmission of gases, petroleum products, waste materials, and electrical power.

The guidelines and standards for high-pressure gas and petroleum lines, as set forth in the UAR, should be observed when dealing with the accommodation of any pipelines carrying hazardous liquid or gaseous products. Pipelines carrying hazardous materials are required to post warning signs and signs of identification of product along, or at, the right of way line of the State Highway System. Consider the following:

High-pressure gas and petroleum lines pose a risk of explosions.
Pipelines that have carried hazardous materials must be purged, capped, and filled before they can be abandoned according to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Texas Railroad Commission requirements.
Be aware that petroleum byproduct lines may contain poisonous gases, such as hydrogen sulfide. Lines carrying poisonous gases must NOT be classed as common carriers and allowed to run parallel in the right of way.
Spillage from any pipeline source, other than potable water lines, should be reported to the District’s Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Coordinator.
Employees should be aware that BOTH low- and high-pressure gas lines pose a serious threat.

Sanitary sewer lines may also pose hazardous conditions. Consider the following:

Avoid contamination of clothing.
Report spillage or leaks to the District’s HAZMAT Coordinator.
Sewer gases are highly combustible and pose a threat of explosion. The gases create a danger working near or within the sanitary sewer manholes.

Overhead or underground power lines can have hidden hazards and should be approached cautiously. Things to watch for are:

Dead power lines and equipment can contain enough static electricity to cause death. Never assume that power lines or equipment are safe until tested by qualified personnel.
Active underground power lines can build up considerable static electricity along the line itself and transfer over to metal casings.

Telecommunication lines, although having low amounts of voltage, present the following hazards:

glass particles in fiber optic lines can easily be embedded in skin and cause severe irritation; and
looking directly into active fiber optic line may cause eye damage.

Another hazard associated with utilities is asbestos. The most obvious hazard may occur during removal of asbestos pipe, if approved. If any portion of the pipe is crushed, asbestos particles thus released into the atmosphere pose an inhalation threat.