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April is Safe Digging Month
Call 8-1-1 Before You Dig!
There’s a villain lurking below ground ready to wreak havoc and chaos by causing injuries, outages, fines and even death. You can easily foil the villain with one call to SC811. When you contact SC811, member utilities in your area mark the utility lines so you know where it’s safe to dig… and where it’s not.
The month of April marks National Safe Digging Month, reminding South Carolina residents to always call 811 before any digging project.
When you confront the enemy and plan ahead, you’ll avoid the pitfalls of striking an underground utility.
In 2021, YCNGA facilities were damaged 219 times.
In 70% of these incidents the root cause was the failure of homeowners or contractors to either notify SC811 before digging, or to dig safely around natural gas lines. According to Common Ground Alliance (CGA), a national association focused on protecting underground utilities, across the country, an underground utility line is damaged every six minutes because someone decided to dig without first calling 811.
Excavation Damage is the Leading Cause of Pipeline Accidents
.. and accidents come with a cost, which is more than just fines & fees
Striking a natural gas pipeline can cause injury, significant repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small requires a call to SC811. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, demolition, installing an irrigation system and planting a tree or garden are all examples of digging projects that should only begin after a call to 811. Once the underground utilities have been located, excavators should dig with care and adhere to a tolerance zone of 24″ to either side of the markings.
How 811 Works
It’s a FREE Service!
When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to SC811, 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. Each type of utility has designated marking colors to clearly identify the type of underground facilities.
The life of a locate request begins three (3) working days after the request has processed, and expires after 15 working days. If the work will take longer, an update locate request should be called in at least 3 full working days prior to the expiration of the initial notice.
Excavators are encouraged to check Positive Response at SC811 to confirm that all utilities have been marked, prior to digging.
– 811 TIP –
Pre-mark the proposed excavation area with white paint, white flags, chalk or any other suitable material, including flour or sugar.
Safe Digging Contest
HIP-Hip-hip and away..
take the Super Hero Safe Digging Challenge today!
April is Safe Digging Month! Put your super powers to the test and see if you can save the day.
Never fear… Prizes are here!
Win a super strong Gorilla Garden Cart, grill tools and a $100 Gift Certificate to Wilson’s Nursery
