Pennsylvania 811 Urges Residents to Mark Utilities Before Digging
With the calendar reading August 11, Pennsylvania 811 is leveraging the date to remind homeowners and contractors that underground utility damage remains a persistent threat. Striking a buried line every few minutes across the country, improper excavation continues to trigger costly service outages, severe injuries, and, in tragic cases, fatalities.
Whether installing a mailbox or launching a large-scale construction project, safety begins three business days before breaking ground. Pennsylvania 811 mandates this notification period to ensure all underground infrastructure is accurately located and marked. Failing to coordinate these efforts risks more than just property damage; it disrupts essential community services and places both the excavator and the public in physical danger.
Bill Kiger, President and CEO of Pennsylvania 811, emphasizes that this precaution is a simple yet critical safeguard against life-altering mistakes. Residents and professionals must submit requests through the organization’s portal at www.pa1call.org well before their project start date. Even for weekend tasks, planners should submit requests early in the week to allow utility companies sufficient time to respond. Once the markings are placed, excavators must dig with caution, ensuring that no work begins until they confirm that all utility lines in the vicinity have been identified.
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