ALWAYS CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

Have you ever accidentally dug up an underground utility line? Or has there ever been a question of whether or not a utility line is indeed in your excavating path?

A national association, the Common Ground Alliance, that preserves the integrity of underground utility services has set up a new phone number to keep the public “safe” from accidents like this. According to Central Hudson Gas + Electric Corp., there have been multiple “call before you dig” phone numbers across the country, causing confusion among contractors. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued the number 811 to eliminate this confusion . Now one call to 811 begins the process of getting these underground lines marked.

This new, easy to remember phone number, is an additional resource to the “Dig Safely New York” hotline number (800-962-7962) which is printed on utility facilities across the state. Both numbers are toll-free and will connect excavators to a statewide system that alerts utilities, municipalities and other parties that operate underground systems of the intent to dig at specific sites so these systems can be marked out.

Things you MAY not know about utility lines:

Buried utility lines may be as shallow as INCHES below the ground.
MULTIPLE lines may exist in one area.
Even simple digging jobs can damage utility lines
Excavating without calling can lead to serious consequences
Damaging utility lines can knock out service to entire neighborhoods, harm the digger, and result in fines as well as repair costs.

Making sure that utility lines and other underground facilities are identified prior to digging is an important safety measure. “Dig Safely New York” must be contacted at least 2 days before digging to prevent accidental contact with utility lines. Call BEFORE you dig!