For the past 15 years, April has been known as Safe Digging Month in Maryland and across the country. Columbia Gas encourages customers and contractors to always contact 811 at least two full business days prior to starting any digging project. Making this free call will ensure the dig site is marked with paint or flags where the approximate underground public utility lines are located.
Thousands of buried utilities are damaged each year due to digging activities. Safe Digging Month serves as a reminder to homeowners and contractors that digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in serious injuries, inconvenient service disruptions and costly repairs when gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines are damaged.
Contacting 811 is free, and it’s the law. Calling 811 or visiting www.MissUtility.net before digging connects homeowners and contractors with the Miss Utility system in Maryland. This organization provides the opportunity for utility companies to mark buried pipes and cables before digging commences, protecting not only the utility lines, but the safety of homeowners and contractors as well.
After a homeowner or contractor contacts 811, professional locators will arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with colored flags, spray paint, or both. Each color indicates which type of utility is underground and where to avoid digging. The utility flags may be removed once the project is fully complete. To learn more information, or to see the complete color code guide visit ColumbiaGasMD.com/811.
Striking an underground line can cause inconvenient outages, costly repairs, injuries, and fines. Columbia Gas encourages you to take the following steps when you’re installing a fence, planting trees, or performing any other outdoor digging project:
- Always call 811 or enter a request online at MissUtility.net at least two full business days before the start of any digging project.
- Tell neighbors, coworkers, family, and friends about 811 if they discuss their plans for an outdoor home improvement project with you.
- Plan ahead – Miss Utility is always available online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and available via phone Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center is closed on holidays.
- Avoid starting projects until you’re sure all lines have been marked. When you contact 811, you will hear a list of companies that should respond.
- Choose another location on the property for a project if the original planned site is near utility line markings.
- If your excavation is within 18 inches of any marked facility, only use hand tools or vacuum excavation with extreme caution.
- If you have hired a contractor to complete your project, confirm that he or she has contacted 811 before doing any digging. Don’t allow work to begin if the lines aren’t marked.
- After the site has been accurately marked, it is safe to begin digging carefully around the marked areas.
Visit www.MissUtility.net or www.ColumbiaGasMD.com/811 for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
