Linewatch highlights growing risk from pipeline infringements
Linewatch, a consortium of oil and gas pipeline operators, has released its latest annual report revealing an increase in incidents involving work near pipelines. The organisation aims to raise awareness and promote safe working practices to protect critical underground infrastructure.
What is a pipeline infringement?
An infringement refers to unauthorised or unsafe activity near a pipeline, including excavation without permission, or accidental damage to the infrastructure. These are categorised based on potential severity:
- Low risk: Minimal impact or likelihood of damage
- Medium risk: Increased potential for harm
- High risk: Serious threat to safety and pipeline integrity
- Near miss: Events outside the pipeline easement that could have resulted in an infringement
Key findings from the 2024 report
- 6% increase in total infringements compared to the previous year
- 52% of incidents involved individuals who were aware of the pipeline’s presence
- Landowners and their contractors remain the primary source of incidents
- Most high-risk infringements occurred on farmland
- Excavation and fencing jobs were the leading causes
- High and medium risk events, as well as near misses, are on the rise
Agriculture: a high-risk environment for pipeline safety
According to Linewatch, modern agricultural practices often involve larger machinery and deeper digging, which increases the risk of pipeline strikes. Many landowners still fail to use appropriate detection tools like CAT scanning or LSBUD searches before digging.
Planned safety improvements
In response, Linewatch is developing an e-learning programme tailored to the agricultural sector. The goal is to promote awareness and provide practical steps for safe excavation.
Safe digging: what you should do
Anyone undertaking excavation work near known or suspected pipelines should follow these essential precautions:
- Use multiple sources to identify pipeline locations — including LSBUD, operator maps and visible markers
- Notify pipeline operators in advance, particularly for high-pressure lines
- Conduct site-specific risk assessments considering pipeline type, location, and potential impact
- Brief all workers on risks and safe systems of work
- Ensure robust emergency procedures are in place, such as:
- Stopping work and evacuating the area immediately if a leak is suspected
- Shutting down all plant and extinguishing any open flames
- Contacting emergency services and the pipeline operator
Need support with excavation safety or training?
Whether you’re a contractor, developer or landowner, we can help you stay compliant and prevent serious incidents. Get in touch to speak with one of our safety specialists.