Damage Prevention Starts with You

NIPSCO strives to be a dependable partner to help you be safer and more efficient every day. Damage prevention is critical to protecting facilities, employees and customers. The well-being of the people and the communities we serve is of the utmost importance.

NIPSCO Damage Prevention Coordinators (DPC) are committed to partnering with excavators to prevent damages, complete jobs safely and more efficiently. Reach out to your local contact below to become a dedicated partner in safety together. We can assist with a variety of needs related to locates, markings and the overall safe digging procedures.

If you have an emergency, you should always call 911 and then call us at 1-800-464-7726 (24/7).

Follow these steps for safe excavation and remember to plan, prepare and dig with care!

Whether your project is big or small, contacting 811 before digging is the law and helps to avoid possible penalties, costly repairs, and injuries.

CONTACT 811
Anyone planning to excavate is required to contact Indiana811 by calling 811 or visiting Indiana811.org at least two full business days before work begins.

ALLOW REQUIRED TIME FOR MARKING
You need to wait two full business days in Indiana for utility locators to have an opportunity to mark the location of utility lines with flags or a special spray paint.

RESPECT THE MARKS
In Indiana, the tolerance zone is defined as the width of the utility line plus 24 inches on each side. Do not use power digging equipment within the tolerance zone.

EXCAVATE CAREFULLY
State law requires that you hand dig or use other nonmechanical means within the tolerance zone.

Remember: Never assume pipeline location or depth. Locating procedures do not verify depth of main. Erosion, weather conditions, terrain modifications and previous digging projects can alter the landscape and bring pipelines closer to the surface.

Damage Prevention Coordinators

WEST

Jessica Hodgson, Leader West Merrillville
219-816-1376
jhodgson@nisource.com

CROWN POINT LOA

Steve Noffsinger - (Crown Point North)
219-246-1398
srnoffsinger@nisource.com

Tessa Robertson - (Crown Point South, Newton and Jasper Counties)
219-713-8768
tessarobertson@nisource.com

GARY LOA

Regina Jabaay
219-216-7201
rjabaay@nisource.com

Jessica Churley
219-343-9324
jessicachurley@nisource.com

HAMMOND LOA

Ian Figuly

219-248-4000
ifiguly@nisource.com

Dana Drew
219-869-9706
ddrew@nisource.com

VALPARAISO LOA

Megan Sellers
219-689-7677
msellers@nisource.com

Robert Hayward
219-629-5071
rhayward@nisource.com

CENTRAL

Deb Taylor, Leader Central Plymouth
219-314-8700
debrataylor@nisource.com

EAST

Charles “Ryan” Walker, Leader East Fort Wayne
219-238-2285
charleswalker@nisource.com

Angola LOA

Jess Goodman
260-645-0019
jessgoodman@nisource.com

Tanner Boman
219-895-7795
tannerboman@nisource.com

Fort Wayne LOA

Rhonda Jackson
260-699-7867
rhondajackson@nisource.com

Tyler Nichols
260-278-8781
tnichols@nisource.com

Goshen LOA

Kevin Miller
574-213-4003
kdeemiller@nisource.com

Trevor Kercher
574-536-2158
tkercher@nisource.com

Cody Palmer
574-312-4673
cpalmer@nisource.com

John Todd, Manager
Merrillville 219-789-2635
johntodd@nisource.com

Dave Schaafsma, Leader
Merrillville 219-688-6552
dschaafsma@nisource.com

Work Safe

See our Excavators Fact Sheet to learn about Pipeline Identification & Safe Excavation Practices.

Download in English Descargar en Español

Color codes for utilities

The flags and paint markings used by utilities indicate the type of utility that lies underground below.

Resources

VIDEO:
OK, I called 811. Now what?

Indiana Dig Law IC 8-1-26
Detailed information on the Indiana Dig Law.

Indiana 811

Always call 811 at least two business days in advance to ensure lines can be marked prior to the start of your project. Visit Indiana 811 for additional information.

Tips for Effective Use of 811
Watch this video from Common Ground Alliance to learn how you can help when making locate requests.

Provide quality information:
Specific dig site location and dimensions, correct contact name and phone number, and detailed description of work being performed.

Manage ticket quantity:
Give sufficient notice, eliminate unnecessary requests, and stop locates on completed jobs.

Indiana Excavator Manual
Basic information from Indiana 811 on safe excavation practices in Indiana.

NIPSCO Excavator Resources

Indiana Damage Prevention Council

Cross Bore Safety

Cross Bores can pose a safety risk, if not addressed properly. Learn more about Cross Bore Safety.

Free Training from the IURC

Emergency Information

Have an emergency?