You wake up on a sunny Saturday morning and think it’s the perfect day to put your new mailbox post into the ground. You head outside, but instead of grabbing a shovel, you gather a paintbrush and a can of white paint because you know you can’t start digging without calling 811.
After using that white paint to mark out the area where you want to dig, you call 811 to request an inspection, understanding that digging without making that call could be catastrophic. Since utilities have 72 hours to inspect, you grab some sunscreen and relax in the yard. The digging can wait until you know it’s safe.
Whether it’s a mailbox post, a fence, or even shrubbery, digging without knowing if there are underground wires or pipes is never a good idea. While damaging utility wires and mains can cause interruption of services to you and your neighbors, hitting those wires with your shovel can also be dangerous and expensive to repair, and, unfortunately, it happens all too often.
According to the Common Ground Alliance, every six minutes a utility line is damaged by someone who dug without calling 811. The organization was created specifically to prevent damage to underground wires and pipes and to promote the national 811 “Call Before You Dig” campaign. The 811 systems’ intent is to protect people, life, and property. April is designated as National Safe Digging Month to highlight the importance of this program, and rightfully so as it starts the season for planting and work around the house.
James Carey, Senior Manager, Government Affairs in Massachusetts runs the company’s M.U.S.T. program, (Managing Underground Safety Training) which trains facility operators, regulators, contractors, municipalities, and others throughout New England on safe digging practices.
“It is not only important that customers call 811 before digging, but it is imperative that all contractors follow the safety guidelines to keep themselves and others safe,” Carey said. Following best practices can also save utility companies money as repairs to underground wires and pipes are costly. Carey is leading the annual training session for New England contractors on April 3, kicking off Safe Digging Month appropriately.
“Learning best practices for safe digging and encouraging the use of the 811 system can reduce the chance of causing damage to less than one percent,” says Carey.
During National Safe Digging Month and always, call 811 before you dig.
