National 811 Day is Tuesday, Aug. 11, and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is reminding homeowners and contractors to contact 811 at least three business days before starting any outdoor digging projects.
Columbia Gas also will be participating in a National 811 Day Pop-Up event in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11, hosted by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to promote 811 and safe digging awareness.
Projects like planting trees, installing fences, building decks or placing mailboxes can put underground natural gas pipelines and other utilities at risk if digging begins without proper preparation. Contacting 811 before digging allows utilities to identify and mark buried lines so work can move forward safely.
Requests to 811 can be submitted by calling 811 or through www.PAOneCall.com. The service is free for homeowners and available statewide, helping prevent injuries, service disruptions and costly repairs.
“Most digging accidents happen during routine projects around the home,” said Mark Kempic, president and chief operating officer of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania. “It’s up to all of us to make sure we contact 811 at least three business days before every digging project, whether the project is big or small. In fact, taking this step isn’t just a safety precaution; it’s the law in Pennsylvania.”
Pipelines may be buried just inches beneath the ground due to erosion, landscaping changes or previous construction, making it essential to contact 811 for every project, no matter the size.
Anyone who accidentally damages a natural gas line or detects the odor of natural gas, should STOP work immediately, LEAVE the area and CALL 911 and Columbia Gas at 1‑888-460-4332 from a safe location.
For more information or to submit a locate request, visit www.PAOneCall.com or www.ColumbiaGasPA.com/811.
