APRIL IS SAFE DIGGING MONTH

**DIAL 8-1-1 BEFORE ANY PROJECT BEGINS**

PA One Call (8-1-1)

State law requires contractors and residents to contact the PA One Call system at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities and other facility owners to mark where their facilities are located.

Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 800-242-1776.

According to the most recent PUC data, approximately 40% of all line “hits” are caused by failure to contact the Pennsylvania One Call (PA One Call) system by calling 8-1-1 before excavation, or failure to wait the required three business days before projects begin.

A recent national safety survey found that a majority of homeowners personally plan to complete an improvement project involving digging over the next 12 months. The most common projects include:

• Planting a tree or shrub
• Building a fence
• Building a deck or patio
• Installing a mailbox

SOURCE: https://www.puc.pa.gov/press-release/2022/puc-recognizes-safe-digging-month-underscores-safety-issues?_cldee=jj4fL13jLUedDx7J5q0x71QYFDk99P4loICs-ZrjL2U-KtN76jZKxKkgdxYd0Hzt&recipientid=contact-0a3d78c9b98bea11a812000d3a9a11f2-d33f2a0f0c4141e583b3cff4d7bd4c71&esid=7988c517-0cbf-ec11-983e-0022481ff7e9