Aug 6, 2024 | Safety and Security
Nothing is more important than ensuring everyone stays safe near our power lines and electrical equipment, including underground power lines.
We always call 811 at least three business days before any project that involves digging for the safety of our employees, contractors and customers.
On National 811 day, we urge everyone to make the 811 call a normal part of their routine whenever they take on digging projects at home, whether it be adding a fence, deck, tree or mailbox, or any other work that involves digging.
Calling 811 – it’s always free for homeowners – helps prevent injuries, damage to underground power lines and power outages.
Pennsylvania law also requires an 811 call at least three business days before digging. The call helps ensure that underground utility owners can arrange visits to the site to locate and mark all areas where underground utilities — electrical gas, water or sewer lines – exist.
When making an 811 call, make sure to have the following information:
- The county and municipality in which the digging is located.
- The street name and address.
- The nearest intersection/cross street to the address.
- Details of the dig site, including the area of the property where excavation will occur and what kind of work is being done, and what equipment will be used.
Visit paonecall.org for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
Mar 25, 2022 | Safety and Security
Are you planting any trees or shrubs this spring? If so, are you planning to call 811 before you start digging?
If you think a hole being dug for trees or plants isn’t enough to make the free 811 call, you may be wrong.
Some utilities could be buried inches below ground. And, unfortunately, about one in five people who dig don’t call 811 because they think their project isn’t deep enough for the call, according to Common Ground Alliance, a North American organization dedicating to preventing damage to underground utilities.
An 811 call is free for homeowners excavating on their residential property.
The law requires an 811 call before digging with power equipment, including backhoes, excavators, post hole diggers, and trenchers.
But it’s best to play it safe with any digging project by making the 811 call. Once placing the call, a crew will come out to the dig site to look for potential underground utilities and mark them with paint.
Here’s the information you will need when calling 811:
- The county and municipality in which the planned dig is located.
- The street name and address.
- The nearest intersecting/cross street to the address.
- Details of the dig site, including the area of the property where excavation will occur and what kind of work is being done.
- When the project is scheduled to take place.
If you hire a contractor to do the excavation for you, they are required to call 811 themselves.
Stay safe this spring and call before you dig.
For more info, visit the Pennsylvania 811 website at pa1call.org.
