The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is recognizing April as National Safe Digging Month and urging all Pennsylvanians to follow proper safety protocols before digging or excavation work, including contacting 811 before you dig.  

“Spring is a busy season for all kinds of digging – whether it’s putting in a fence, planting trees, or installing broadband infrastructure,” said PUC Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr. “But that activity comes with real risks. Contacting 8-1-1 before you dig isn’t just common sense – it’s the law, and it’s the single most effective way to protect yourself, your community, and our underground infrastructure.” 

The PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee (DPC) investigates hundreds of incidents where underground utilities were struck during digging projects – many of which could have been prevented with a simple phone call to 811. Recent trends in Pennsylvania show continuing problems with telecommunications and fiber installers failing to follow 811 laws, as well as increased damages caused by homeowners and landscapers. 

To reduce risks and prevent accidents, the PUC reminds everyone planning to dig this spring, including townships, to take the following steps to keep themselves safe: 

• Always contact 8-1-1 at least three business days before digging; 
• Wait for the marks – Owners of underground utilities (including townships that own underground infrastructure) will mark the location of underground lines; 
• Verify that all lines are marked before beginning work; 
• Respect the markings and dig with care, especially near shallow lines; and 
• Make sure your contractor has contacted 8-1-1 – excavators must place their own tickets. Click here to learn more.