Safety means making the right call before you dig

Ah, spring. Time for digging. Digging in the garden, digging in the yard, digging along the roadways.

But, as DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) reminds us, it is NOT time for digging into pipelines and other undergound utlities.

Thanks to the stimulus funds this will be the busiest public works season in a while. Sidewalks and highways and bridges and gardens and lawns all involve excavation. So, now is a good time for everyone--road crews and the public alike--to remember that what you can't see can hurt you.

34% of all serious pipeline incidents between 1998 and 2008 were caused by excavation damage. One single call to 811 can eliminate that risk. One single call.

Please call 811 before you put your first shovel or backhoe into the ground.  811 connects you with your local utility companies who will mark the location of pipelines and other underground utilities.

Calling 811 is simple and can save you from causing an explosion. It can save your life, the life of a co-worker and the lives of our citizens.

Comments

[Bob Kipp]

I couldn’t agree more. The Department of Transportation, along with Congress and the Federal Communications Commission, brought the national 811 number to life a few years ago, and we at the Common Ground Alliance are grateful to have one easy-to-remember number for homeowners and contractors to call before they dig, no matter where they live in the United States.

Our stakeholders’ mission to promote safe digging has become significantly more manageable, as evidenced by the millions of Americans who have dialed 811 since the number launched in May 2007.

Your post recognizes the busy spring digging season, and that timely hook kicked off CGA’s National Safe Digging Month in April. With the support of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), one of your great DOT agencies, CGA and its stakeholders rolled out hundreds of Safe Digging Month campaigns across the country to remind Americans to call 811 before they dig this spring and beyond. It was a major success with significant media coverage across the country and major support from CGA’s members who embraced the campaign.

Thanks again to Secretary LaHood and everyone at DOT for the gentle reminder that EVERY digging project warrants a call to 811. Please visit www.call811.com for more information– Bob Kipp, President, Common Ground Alliance

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Thanks again to Secretary LaHood and everyone at DOT for the gentle reminder that EVERY digging project warrants a call to 811. Please visit www.call811.com for more information– Bob Kipp, President, Common Ground Alliance

[Jack]

I couldn’t agree more.

[Matt Razor]

Yes call 811, As a volunteer Firefighter in my small town. I can't help to stress how tragic it can be when you start digging without knowing whats underneath you. Thanks for this reminder!

Matt Razor
http://TopAirsoftSniperRifles.com

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Everyone at DOT for the gentle reminder that EVERY digging project warrants a call to 811. Please visit www.call811.