As excavation work is always accompanied by significant safety risks, it’s vital to undertake this work carefully and cautiously. The 811 phone number is a crucial safety measure that can prevent dangerous incidents, such as gas leaks, electrical outages, or communication disruptions due to damage to buried utility lines. In this article, we will discuss how to access and understand 811 information for safe excavation, enabling you to carry out your work safely and efficiently.
Access to 811 Information
The 811 phone number is a free service available to everyone. The purpose of 811 is to contact utility companies in your area to mark the location of your underground utility lines. Before you undertake any excavation work, you must contact 811 at least two to three business days before starting. You can also visit the 811 website to complete the request form online. After you provide your information and excavation plans, the 811 center will contact the utility companies in your area to identify and mark underground utility lines, helping you avoid any accidents.
Understanding 811 Information
The markings made by the utility companies may not be self-explanatory to everyone. Typically, a marking code is used to identify the type of utility line running beneath the ground. For instance, yellow markings usually denote gas pipelines, orange for communications, blue for water, green for sewer, and red for electrical. Once the markings are made, it’s crucial to understand the information and markings to avoid digging errors.
However, it is imperative to note that not everything is under the jurisdiction of the companies that offer the service of marking underground utility lines. For instance, private sewer and underground storage tanks are not included. Therefore, depending on the nature of the excavation work, the client may contract a professional locator for this service. Professional locators provide additional information on private utilities that are not under the call-to-dig service.
Conclusion
At all times, whether you are undertaking a small backyard landscaping project or a significant excavation job like a building project, contact 811 before you dig to avoid safety risks and costly damages. It is an excellent way to ensure that your work is carried out safely and efficiently. Failure to follow these protocols can lead to costly accidents, which is why it is essential to acquire the necessary information and understand it before undertaking any excavation work. Stay safe!
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