Don’t Gamble With Your Safety - Always Call Miss Utility at 811 Before You Dig!
4/1/2010 2:53:57 PM
For Release:
April 1, 2010
Contact: Bob Innes
(804) 768-6410
(804) 512-1425 - cellular
rinnes@nisource.com
April is National Safe Digging Month
Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can cause serious injuries, service disruptions and significant repair costs if a utility line is damaged. Columbia Gas of Virginia (Columbia) reminds homeowners and professional excavators to always call Miss Utility at 811 before you dig.
April has been designated National Safe Digging Month and results from a new national survey found that more than half (57 percent) of Americans who plan to dig on their property this year do not plan to notify their local Miss Utility center by dialing 811. In Virginia, the law requires any person planning to excavate or dig to always call Miss Utility at 811 and request underground utility locates.
“Columbia has noticed a similar disturbing trend in natural gas facilities being damaged by both individual homeowners and professional excavators who failed to have underground utilities marked,” said Dan Cote, Columbia’s general manager operations. “The result of damaging natural gas, or other utility facilities, can include loss of utility service, property damage, personal injury and the potential of fines. It is important to plan ahead and get all underground utilities marked before digging.”
Cote added that there is no cost to the excavator or homeowner to have underground utilities marked and it’s a critical step that can help individuals avoid serious incidents while safely digging around underground utilities.
As part of National Safe Digging Month, Columbia Gas of Virginia strongly encourages homeowners and professional excavators to take care when planning a digging project:
• Always call Miss Utility at 811 at least 48 hours before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with the property.
• Plan ahead. Call early in the week for work planned for an upcoming weekend, allowing the required time for utility lines to be marked.
• Respect the marks when digging around underground utilities.
• Excavate carefully by never using mechanized equipment within 2 feet of utility marks. Only use hand tools.
National Safe Digging Month is a partnership with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the Common Ground Alliance, Virginia Utility Protection Service (Miss Utility) and utility operators.