With more than 20 million miles of underground utilities in the United States, it’s crucial to know what’s below ground before beginning any excavation work.
In recognition of National 8-1-1 Day on August 11th, Eversource is reminding customers, contractors and excavators to put safety first when starting any digging project – large or small. Whether planting a shrub or installing a pool, calling 8-1-1 to mark underground utilities is critical to avoid injuries and utility service disruptions – and it’s also the law.
“Every six minutes in the U.S. someone damages an underground utility line, which could have been avoided by calling 8-1-1 first,” said Eversource Vice President of Safety Ken Bogler. “Striking a single line can cause serious injuries as well as outages. Accidental dig-ins can happen anywhere utility lines are buried, from a backyard to a major construction site. That’s why it’s so important people check what’s below before the shovel, backhoe or digger hits the ground.”
Call Before You Dig (CBYD) governs safe digging practices in Connecticut and offers a one-call system to locate and mark underground facilities that are near proposed excavation areas. By calling 8-1-1, homeowners and contractors are connected with CBYD, which notifies local utilities of any scheduled digging activities. Professionals then visit the property to mark utility-owned underground lines with flags and/or spray paint to indicate areas to be avoided.
Some essential tips to remember:
- Regardless of the depth of the digging or familiarity with the property, always contact 8-1-1 before starting a project.
- Whether using power equipment or hand tools such as axes, shovels or posthole diggers, the law requires notifying CBYD at least two business days in advance of a project that requires digging or excavation work.
- Underground electric, gas, communication and water lines can be located anywhere. Know what’s below to avoid injury and damage to utility lines.
- Hitting a utility line can lead to injury, repair costs, fines and service outages.
For more information about Call Before You Dig, visit www.cbyd.com. Also, for more information and materials about how you can protect your customers and contractors, visit this website.
