August 11 is National 8/11 Day and UGI Utilities is using this day to remind homeowners and contractors to always call 811, or go to call811.com to submit a request, before digging. It is a simple, and potentially lifesaving, phone call or click.
At least three business days before a shovel hits the ground, call 811 or go to call811.com to get your underground utilities located and marked. Having your utility lines marked with paint or flags can help you, or a contractor avoid unintentionally hitting underground lines. Common underground utility lines include gas, water, sewer, electric, phone, fiber optic, and cable television.
If a homeowner is doing the work, they should make the call. If a homeowner hires a contractor to do the work, it is up to the contractor to call 811. The request is free for homeowners and a small annual fee for contractors. Be prepared when calling 811 and have details on the location of the work, along with the type of work, details on how the work will be done, and the expected duration of the project.
"It is a simple call or click, and it is the law," says Janet Toporcer, UGI’s Public Safety Administrator. "Calling 811 can prevent costly damage, loss of service, injury, even death. Regardless of the size of the digging project, make the call."
This is also a good time to remind homeowners and contractors to be mindful of the dangers above when working around electric and other above-ground facilities. Contact of any kind to power lines can be deadly.
Visit www.ugi.com/811 or call811.com for more information about safe digging practices, excavation safety, as well as safety training for excavators.
UGI Utilities is headquartered in Denver, Pennsylvania and serves more than 760,000 customers in certificated portions of 46 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland. Customers interested in additional information should visit the UGI website at www.ugi.com; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ugiutilities; X at https://x.com/ugi_utilities.
SOURCE: UGI Utilities
