Regulators use Safe Digging Month to highlight importance of calling 811 before projects

As National Safe Digging Month begins, regulators warn people to avoid engaging in outdoor projects before calling 811, the free national “Call Before You Dig” hotline, and ask that the underground utilities on the property be properly located and marked to help prevent damage.

“We urge anyone involved in home or business activities outdoors to exercise extreme caution,” said Paul Kjellander, president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and commissioner at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. “Not only can costly damage occur after hitting underground gas, electric, communications, water, and sewer lines, these accidents can also pose serious health risks. Therefore, every effort should be taken to avoid overburdening first responders and utility personnel. NARUC urges everyone to practice safe digging and distancing while working outside and to dial 811 before commencing any project that involves digging to avoid physical injuries and property damage.”

Even small digging projects could lead to serious injuries if such lines were to be hit, NARUC warned. While advanced notice and how long marks are considered valid varies state by state, each utilizes the federally designated 811 to contact affected utilities, which will dispatch crews to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines before any project.

In 2019, the U.S. Common Ground Alliance reported approximately 532,000 excavation-related damage events in the U.S., an increase of 14 percent from 2018, the latest year for which figures are available. Estimated damages in 2019 total roughly $30 billion in direct and indirect losses.

“Calling 811 before digging anywhere prevents damage to underground utilities, prevents potential personal injury and avoids electric and other utility outages,” said Scott Batson, Duke Energy senior vice president and chief distribution officer. “It also helps avoid costly repairs for the offenders.”

In 2020, Duke Energy reported approximately 2,800 damage-causing dig-in events in its six-state electric service territory.

State officials are also working to spread the word to protect consumers. In Florida, for example, the 811 network is managed by the Sunshine State One Call Center. Citizens are required to call at least two working days in advance of any digging project to give utilities the time to find and mark buried lines.

“The weather is perfect right now, and we’re ready to ramp up for a really good spring season,” Florida Public Service Commission Chairman Gary Clark said. “Working outside offers the best COVID-19 exercise. Just remember to be smart and safe: call 811 before all digging projects to protect yourself and others from unintentionally hitting a utility line.”

Regulators join the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration each year to support this system. Commissioner D. Ethan Kimbrel, chair of the NARUC Committee on Gas, said people can keep themselves from injury and prevent service disruptions and costly repairs by following necessary steps.