Georgia 811 reminds residents to contact 811 before all digging projects
Duluth, GA (April 18, 2018) — On April 10, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal issued a proclamation announcing April as Georgia Safe Digging Month. The proclamation reminds Georgia homeowners to contact 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects.
Many stakeholders came out to the Capitol to receive Gov. Deal’s signed proclamation including Public Service Commissioners Lauren “Bubba” McDonald and Tricia Pridemore.
Commission Chairman Lauren “Bubba” McDonald said, “Calling 8-1-1 is the best way to prevent damage to our underground utilities. Everyone loses when underground utilities are damaged. We are pleased to work with Georgia 811, our federal partners, and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) to prevent damages from occurring to the state’s underground utility facilities. Our common goals are to prevent the disruption of utility services and personal injuries that result from accidents which damage underground facilities.”
As April marks the start of the spring digging season, Georgia 811 and Gov. Deal are encouraging homeowners to contact 811 online or by phone before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages. Every nine minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811.
When calling 811, homeowners are connected to Georgia 811; which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once lines have been accurately marked, digging can begin around marked lines.
“We join the governor in strongly encouraging individuals and companies to call 811 before they begin digging,” said Meghan Wade, Georgia 811’s President. “By having underground lines marked, homeowners are making an important decision that can help keep them and their communities safe and connected.”
Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, necessitates contacting 811. Installing a mailbox, putting in a fence, building a deck and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects that need a call to 811 before starting.
Visit Georgia811.com for more information about 811 and the call-before-you-dig process.
On Tuesday, April 10, 2018 Safe Digging Stakeholders gathered at our state’s capitol to recognize April as Safe Digging Month in Georgia with Governor Nathan Deal.
Included in the photo with Governor Deal, in alphabetical order are:
- Tiffany Baker – DOT/PHMSA
- Allen Bell – Georgia Power Company, Georgia 811 Board Member
- Mike Bell – Kinder Morgan
- Michael Borem – Norfolk Southern
- Ashley Carr – AT&T, Georgia 811 Board Member
- Vikki McReynolds Consiglio – GUCA
- Maria Copeland – GA811
- Bill Edge – GA PSC
- Wendell “Rob” Holbrook – Cobb County DOT, Chair, Georgia 811 Board
- Mike Jewell – City of Covington
- Samuel Maldonado – DOT/PHMSA
- Joey Martin – ER Snell
- Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald – GA PSC
- David Moellering – Georgia Highway Contractors Association
- Bob Murphy – GA811
- Shannon Palmiter – GA811
- James Powell – DOT/PHMSA
- Commissioner Tricia Pridemore – GA PSC
- Terry Pritchett – GA PSC
- Frankie Rigdon – Ellijay Telephone Company
- Roy Rogers – Blount Construction
- Phyllis Stallings – Cobb County DOT
- Tom Tarver – Kinder Morgan, Georgia 811 Board Member
- Adam Wise – Georgia Telecommunications Association
- Meghan Wade – Georgia 811
- Monique Wright – Georgia Association of Broadcasters
- Mark Woodall – Associated General Contractors of Georgia