Pipelines transport important liquids such as oil and gasoline over great distances, keeping less trucks on the road. Owning or managing a pipeline is a big responsibility. You’re responsible for the health and safety of not only your workers, but also communities nearby. Use these signs of a natural gas leak in your pipeline to maintain the safety of your employees and people in the community.
Smell
One way to tell if there’s a natural gas leak in your pipeline is the smell. Tell workers to remain alert for any smells that seem irregular or that smell of gas. Have anyone who smells something off report it to their manager right away. Gas is given an artificial smell to help people identify when there’s a leak so that it can be addressed and stopped right away. Smell is one of the easier ways to identify a natural gas leak. Once you can smell the gas leak, though, it has likely been happening for a while.
Strange sounds
If a worker hears any strange sounds coming from the pipeline, they should let a supervisor know right away so that a professional can promptly investigate them. A hissing sound or any strange thumping noises can be indications of a leak or another dangerous underlying issue.
Visual clues
One of the most thorough signs of a natural gas leak in your pipeline is a hole. If there’s a hole or even a lot of corrosion visible on the pipeline, chances are there is or will soon be a major leak. To catch this early and stop rust and corrosion before they eat a hole in the pipeline’s exterior, perform regular inspections of your pipeline. Regular inspections can also catch leaks before they get too serious.
To keep your pipeline safe and free of any leaks, you should invest in a pipeline integrity inspection. Dreiym Engineering employs highly trained specialists to keep your pipeline’s integrity intact.
