April 2010 is Safe Digging Month - Safe Digging is No Accident

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Duluth, GA April 1, 2010– There is no reason to make foolish assumptions about the location of underground utilities. April 1, 2010 marks the first day of Georgia’s Dig Safely Month as declared by Governor Sonny Perdue. Georgia 811, along with Governor Perdue, encourage you to “Call 811 Before You Dig.”

In April of 2009, Georgia 811 took 83,650 requests to have utility lines located. For each request, an average of 8 member companies were notified that digging would be taking place in their service area.

 

“Calling Before you dig is an important step in safe digging. It not only saves lives, but money and time. If you have dug in the past without calling, don’t make that mistake again. Call 811 on every project, every time. The call is free and having the underground utilities marked is free,” Shares Georgia 811’s President & CEO, Claudette Campbell.

 

Georgia Public Service Commission Chairman Lauren “Bubba” McDonald, Jr. said, “We are joining the Governor and all interested groups in working collectively toward a common goal to prevent damages and personal injuries from occurring to the state’s underground utility facilities. In addition, we work to prevent the interruption of utility service as well. Since the passage of the Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act in 2000, the state has built a damage prevention program second to none in the nation.”

 

Chairman McDonald added, “For those states who do not currently have a damage prevention program, I would issue a challenge to follow Georgia’s lead and begin such a program, it is the right thing to do.”

 

Danny McGriff, Director, Facilities Protection Unit, with the Georgia Public Service Commission reminds, “homeowners, landscapers, fence installers, farmers, plumbers, professional excavators – anyone who will be digging- is required to dial 811 before beginning the project. Utility services like phone, gas, power, water and cable that your family depends on are buried underground. Every digging project requires a call to 811 - even small projects like planting trees or shrubs. Striking a single line can result in harm to yourself or someone else, costly fines and repair fees or inconvenient outages. One utility line is unintentionally struck every minute in the US. 811 is easy to remember and the call and the service are free. It also keeps you in compliance with the Georgia ‘Dig Law’.”

A free call to 811 begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked. Georgia 811 notifies member utility companies where and when you plan to dig. These member companies dispatch locate technicians to mark the underground lines with colored paint and/or flags. By respecting the location of the paint marks and flags you can avoid dangerous contact with underground facilities.

Notify Georgia 811 at least two (2) business days before excavation begins on public and private property, rights of way and easements. Know what’s below. Call before you dig, simply dial 811.

Established in 1974, Georgia 811 is a non-profit organization comprised of over 700-member utility companies, including cities and counties throughout Georgia that benefit through reductions in lost time, accidents, service interruptions and costly repairs. Georgia 811 has been an industry leader in preventing damage to underground utility facilities and promoting safety and efficiency through high quality and economical notification services. In addition Georgia 811 provides training and education while encouraging compliance with all applicable laws.

 

Georgia 811 strives to encourage four Dig Safely practices: 1) Call before you dig. 2) Wait the required amount of time for marking. 3) Respect the marks. 4) Dig with care.

Georgia 811, keeping Georgians safe and connected. Call Before You Dig, every project, every time, dial 811 or (1-800-282-7411) from any part of the state. For more information, visit the Georgia 811 web site at www.Georgia811.com. For more about the Georgia “Dig Law” visit the Georgia Public Service Commission’s website at www.psc.state.ga.us.