New Traffic Membership Requirements
Did you know that in September of 2022, the Georgia Underground Facility Protection Act (GUFPA) was updated to include a requirement for mandatory Georgia 811 membership for local governing authorities that own traffic control devices and traffic management systems? Click here to read more information about the new traffic membership requirements.
Summit Dates
Save the dates for the two Georgia 811 Summits that will take place this Fall. Registration information will be released during the summer. Interested sponsors and vendors should contact Fiona Bowen at FBowen@Georgia811.com.
- South Georgia: Thursday, September 14, at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton
- Metro Atlanta: Thursday, October 5, at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth.
Improved Georgia 811 Damage Prevention Competent Person Training is Now Live!
The new Georgia 811 Damage Prevention Competent Person Training is now live! Georgia 811 encourages all stakeholders to have their employees complete this online course that is individual, self-paced, and free. The training uses best practices to engage learners and takes approximately one hour to complete. Topics include:
- Introduction to Safe Excavation in Georgia
- Requesting a Dig Ticket & Understanding Utility Markings
- Liability & Damages
- Digging Safely: An Explanation of the Tolerance Zone, Potholing, Utility Depth, and Enforcement of the Georgia Dig Law
- Marking Standards for Underground Utilities
- Preparing a Damage Investigation
- Ticket Responses in the Positive Response Information System (PRIS)
To register, visit the Georgia 811 Training and Education page. Competent Person training is also available in Spanish and can be accessed when registering for training.
Safe Digging Month Media Tour
Georgia 811 thanks official spokesperson Cliff Meidl for completing a successful Safe Digging Month Media Tour. Cliff gave interviews at various television and radio studios broadcasting in Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Greensboro, Rome, and Savannah. He was also able to speak to various groups in person including Southern Company Gas, City of Lawrenceville and Global Commercial Real Estate Services with representation from Wells Fargo, AT&T, Microsoft, Fifth Third Bank, Truist, and Home Depot. Stakeholders can now view Cliff’s interviews with 11 Alive’s Atlanta & Company and Augusta’s Fox 54 online.
Local Government Recognition of Safe Digging Month
Thank you to all safe digging stakeholders who helped their city or county proclaim April as Safe Digging Month. Utility Coordinating Counties who secure two proclamations between Safe Digging Month and 811 Day will receive a $250 voucher for a UCC luncheon and those with four or more proclamations will win a $500 voucher. Vouchers will be presented during the Fall Summits. Cities who proclaimed Safe Digging Month include Alpharetta, Auburn, Ball Ground, Canton, Centerville, East Ellijay, Hiram, Holly Springs, Jasper, Marietta, Monticello, Nelson, Peachtree City, Perry, Savannah, Statham, Warner Robins, and Winder. County commissioners proclaimed Safe Digging Month in the following counties: Chatham, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Hall, Houston, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, and Woodstock. The towns of Brooks and Woolsey in addition to Fayette Count Fire & Emergency Services, Austell Fire Department, and Morgan County EMA also proclaimed Safe Digging Month.
Facebook Giveaway
May’s Facebook giveaway features e-gift cards to Ferry-Morse, a supplier of flower, vegetable, herb and fruit seeds, plants, gardening supplies, and home goods. Visit Georgia 811’s Facebook page to view the pinned post with giveaway details. Giveaway ends on May 15th at 5pm ET.