With Millions of Californians Still Working and Schooling from Home, Calling 811 Before Digging More Important Than Ever
April 08 2021 - 11:30AM
Business Wire
Recent survey indicates that many homeowners
are using their extra time at home to complete projects that
require digging
With the arrival of spring, many Californians are thinking of
starting projects to make their outdoor spaces more livable, and
many of these projects will require digging. To help ensure these
projects can proceed safely, and without disruptions to essential
utility services that we all depend on to be able to stay connected
during the ongoing pandemic, April is recognized as National Safe
Digging Month. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and more
than 1,000 other utilities support this nationwide public safety
initiative to supported by to raise awareness about the importance
of calling 811 to have underground utility lines marked in advance
of any digging project.
Throughout the pandemic, many homeowners are using their extra
time at home to complete projects that require digging, according
to a recent national survey conducted by the Common Ground Alliance
(CGA). In fact, the survey shows that one in five homeowners (20%)
have been more likely to do a DIY home improvement involving
digging since the pandemic began – particularly gardening projects,
and 56% of homeowners who are planning to plant a tree or shrub
this year said they were more likely to dig while having extra time
at home. The most popular planned projects cited among surveyed
homeowners who plan to dig include:
- Planting a tree or shrub: 62%
- Building a fence: 37%
- Building a deck or patio: 32%
- Installing a mailbox: 20%
- Installing a pool: 6%
- Something else: 26%
Additionally, of the millions of homeowners who plan to dig this
year for projects like gardening, building a fence or deck,
installing a mailbox and more, nearly two in five (37%) will put
themselves and their communities at risk by digging without
contacting 811 beforehand to learn the approximate location of
underground utilities.
"With millions of Californians relying on essential utility
services as they work and learn from home, it is of the utmost
importance that everyone take advantage of the free call to 811
prior to digging. Our locate and mark crews are in the field every
day helping to ensure digging projects of all sizes can proceed
safely, without risk to life, health or property. Whether your
project is large or small, from repaving a driveway to installing a
fencepost, calling 811 three working days before excavating to have
the locations of underground gas or electric lines marked will help
keep you, your family and your neighbors safe and help you avoid
potentially costly repairs,” said Joe Forline, PG&E senior vice
president of Gas Operations.
According to the Common Ground Alliance’s damage information
reporting tool, an underground utility line is damaged every nine
minutes in the United States. This adds up to more than 200,000
preventable hits to underground utility lines nationwide annually.
PG&E is urging customers to help prevent dig-ins by placing a
toll-free call to 811 or an online request to have gas and electric
lines marked free of charge three working days before the project
begins.
Key Facts
- In 2020, there were over 1,400 third-party dig-ins on
PG&E’s underground infrastructure across Northern and Central
California.
- Of the over 1,400 dig-ins, nearly 800 resulted from not using
811 to have gas and electric lines marked in advance.
- Of the third-party (customers or construction crews) dig-ins to
PG&E’s lines in 2020, residential dig-ins accounted for
31%.
- In 91% of residential dig-ins, 811 was not called in
advance.
811 is a designated toll-free number for homeowners and
professional excavators and is serviced by regional offices.
Operators answering calls and emails will dispatch all necessary
utilities to properly mark underground utility lines with paint or
flags. Underground Service Alert of Northern/Central California and
Nevada (USA North) is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
and will provide Spanish and other translation services.
PG&E Safe Digging Tips:
Mark project area in white: Identify the digging location by
drawing a box around the area using white paint, white stakes,
white flags, white chalk or even white baking flour.
- Call 811 or go online for a USA ticket three working
days before digging: Be prepared to provide the address and general
location of the project, project start date and type of digging
activity. PG&E and other utilities will identify underground
facilities in the area for free.
- Dig safely: Use hand tools when digging within 24 inches
of the outside edge of underground utility lines. Leave utility
flags, stakes or paint marks in place until the project is
finished. Backfill and compact the soil.
- Mind the lines: If the utility line is visible, dig in
parallel with the utility line and use all precautions when
removing the soil from around the utility line.
- Be aware of signs of a natural gas leak: Smell for a
“rotten egg” odor, listen for hissing, whistling or roaring sounds
and look for dirt spraying into the air, bubbling in a pond or
creek and dead/dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area.
PG&E urges customers to call 911 and then PG&E at
1-800-743-5000 if there’s a suspected gas leak. If an accidental
dent, scrape or other damage is made to a gas pipeline, those
nearby must leave immediately and alert others to avoid the area.
Only when a safe distance away should anything that might create a
spark such as cell phones, matches, garage door openers, vehicles,
or yard equipment be used.
About CGA
CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 1,700 individuals,
organizations and sponsors in every facet of the underground
utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving
lives and preventing damage to North American underground
infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices.
CGA has established itself as the preeminent source of damage
prevention data and information in an effort to reduce damages to
underground facilities in North America through shared
responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit
CGA on the web at http://www.commongroundalliance.com.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric
utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square
miles in Northern and Central California. For more information,
visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
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