August 11 reminds us to call 8-1-1 before digging

With summer winding down, many Americans are making a mad dash to finish those last minute back yard projects. Installing a fence, planting shrubbery or even hiring a contractor might seem simple enough, but digging underground can be dangerous--if you don’t call 8-1-1 two to three days before. With 2.6 million miles of pipelines crisscrossing the country, some could be right in your own backyard.

That’s why I’m urging you to stay safe and know what’s below; call 811 before you dig.

A Washington Gas representative marks underground utlity lines prior to excavation

In case you’ve missed my previous posts about it, 811 is a toll-free national number that alerts local companies to mark underground utilities in your area so you can dig around them safely.

Each year, DOT and our safety partners across the country mark August 11 as National 8-1-1 Day. It's an opportunity to remind people that the natural gas and other liquids we rely on to heat our water, cook our food, and fuel our economy are transported beneath our feet--and our shovels.

To mark National 8-1-1 Day 2012, officials from our Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration today partnered with local safety officials and Washington Gas to demonstrate how calling 8-1-1 works and how first responders handle incidents resulting from failure to make that call.

PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman

Emergency responders and representatives at Washington Gas’ Springfield training facility demonstrated how a call to 811 prompts local companies to mark underground utilities and how first responders would handle an underground utility incident. PHMSA officials also dispelled common assumptions about excavation projects and warned about the consequences of not calling 811.

Thank you to Washington Gas and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for helping the Department and PHMSA spread this important safety message.

Excavation can go wrong quickly and create a dangerous incident

The Department has made progress in pipeline safety, but the fact remains that a third of all serious pipeline incidents--those that lead to death or injury--are caused because someone putting a shovel into the ground didn't call 811.

Accidentally hitting an underground pipeline can also disconnect people from critical services like cooking, commuting, and heating their homes and water.

For more than five years, the Department has been advising Americans to call 811 to get utilities marked, and I’m happy to say that the number of incidents has decreased over the course of those five years. But we're not about to let August 11--National 8-1-1 Day--go by without once again sending this important safety reminder.

So I’m asking you to help eliminate pipeline accidents by making The 811 Promise online. And after signing your name, take a moment to share The 811 Promise logo on your social media accounts, in your email signatures, or when talking with friends and family.

I hope you enjoy the rest of summer, but please remember to enjoy it safely. It does not matter if you’re a contractor or a home gardener; if you’re planning to dig, there's only one way to ensure your safety and the safety of those in your community: before you pick up a shovel, pick up a phone and call 8-1-1.