Keep safe, avoid dangers when digging

You’ve probably been there. You’re planting a tree or installing a new fence in your yard — not even digging very deep — when suddenly your internet cuts out because you hit a telecommunications line. Even worse is when you’re digging deeper and accidentally strike an electric or gas line, creating a very dangerous situation for you and your neighbors with risks of voltage spikes, evacuations and explosions.

According to the Common Ground Alliance, nearly three in five homeowners find themselves in these situations because they didn’t contact 811 beforehand to have a utility’s buried lines marked.

Aug. 11 or 811 Day is an ideal time to remember the importance of digging safely and avoiding dangers, starting with contacting 811.    

Given Florida is one of the top states in the country for construction activity and the fastest growing state in the United States, both homeowners and professional contractors should take extra caution before digging and avoid cutting corners to get a job done. That’s when most damages to underground lines occur, and Florida experienced more than 27,000 reported damages last year. 

“Landscaping and fencing are among the most popular yard spruce-up activities for Florida residents, but combined, they cause the most damage to underground utility lines — some of which are very shallow, while others can end up being entangled with roots,” said Wendy Schaefer, Sunshine 811’s education and awareness manager. “Many people don’t realize the real dangers that lie below. Hitting a power, telecom or gas line can result in fines, service interruptions, street evacuations, injuries or even worse. That’s why contacting 811 before you dig is the law, and nationwide, the majority of damage occurs from not contacting 811.” 

Schaefer adds that the work of Sunshine 811 is all about ensuring public safety and preventing damage to underground infrastructure. When 811 is contacted, the organization alerts member utilities of a project so utility lines can be identified and marked first before digging.

811 can be accessed by dialing those numbers directly on your phone or by going to Sunshine811.com and clicking on “Create a Ticket.”

Sunshine 811 is also Florida’s go-to resource for education on safe digging. The organization’s online Learning Center (sunshine811.com/learning-center) offers in-depth information, resources and videos on a variety of topics, including: safe planting tips, hurricane storm prep and after-storm clean-up reminders, damage prevention and more.

Sunshine 811 encourages homeowners and contractors to follow these six fundamental steps for safe digging:

• Plan your project. Think about the scope and whether you’ll need to hire a contractor. Gather specific information about your project, such as the street address, type of project and timeline for the work. For help, go to: www.sunshine811.com/get-started-create-a-ticket. If you’re hiring contractors, make sure they contact 811.

• Contact 811 online or by phone. You’ll receive a ticket number and list of utilities that will be notified of your project. Remember that utility companies do not mark private lines such as water lines, outdoor lighting, gas lines to grills and irrigation.

• Wait until lines are marked. After you submit a ticket, utility operators have two full business days to clear or mark the approximate location of underground utility lines on your property before you dig.

• Confirm utility responses. Follow the progress of each utility by viewing the positive response codes they use to explain your dig site.

• Confirm the marks. Ensure that all utility companies responded to your ticket. Compare the colors of the marks and flags on your property to those listed on the ticket. Do not alter or destroy the markings or flags.

• Dig with care – Now that the buried utility lines on your property have been marked or cleared, it’s time to start digging. According to Florida law, buried utilities have a tolerance zone that extends 24 inches from the outside edges of a utility. If you’re digging within the tolerance zone, use increased precautions to protect the underground lines. If you’re pulling out plants and trees or grinding stumps, keep an eye out for utility lines tangled in the roots. If you damage a utility line, contact the utility company immediately and do not attempt to fix it.

For more information about safe digging and the 811 process, go to Sunshine811.com.