Call Before You Dig: April is National Safe Digging Month

April 5, 2011
This April marks the fourth annual National Safe Digging Month, an initiative that urges excavators and homeowners to call 811 before beginning a digging project to avoid the injuries or fatalities that could result from striking a utility line.

According to the Common Ground Alliance, a utility line is damaged by digging once every 3 minutes nationwide. One-third of these incidents are caused by failure of the professional excavator or homeowner to call 811 before beginning their digging project.

A free phone call to 811 connects homeowners and contractors with their local one-call center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, paint or both.

Striking a single line can cause injury or death, significant repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages, which is why every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Installing a mailbox, building a deck and planting a tree or garden are all examples of digging projects that should begin only after underground utility lines are marked by a professional locator.

“Safe digging is no accident,” said Christopher A. Helms, executive vice president and group CEO of NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage. “At NGT&S, safety is our top priority, and as April marks the start of spring digging season, we encourage all homeowners and professionals to make the call to 811 to have underground utility lines in their area marked. Please join us in an effort to keep our communities safe and connected.”

The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists.

For more information, please visit http://www.call811.com.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

Sponsored Recommendations

Fitting in Fast: Making a Safe Workplace for New Hires

Sept. 12, 2024
Over a third of nonfatal injuries happen to workers who have been with their current employer for less than a year.

Elevating Safety: Empowering Supervisors to Become Safety Advocates

Aug. 27, 2024
Explore the skills, knowledge and techniques that supervisors need to effectively manage the safety of their crew. This guide will examine the causes and symptoms of supervisory...

Top 10 Causes of Distracted Driving—and What They All Have in Common

Aug. 27, 2024
The results reveal the top ten causes of distracted driving, and make it clear that not all distractions are created equal.

Spotting Workplace Safety Heroes: A Guide to Identifying Your Champions

Aug. 27, 2024
No two workplace safety champions are identical. But almost every single one of them has at least one standout quality that helps them excel. Here are some of those qualities ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!