Nearly three in four American homeowners (74%) plan to tackle an outdoor project involving digging in the next 12 months, translating to an estimated 60 million households breaking ground this year. Yet an estimated 10 million plan to skip contacting 811 – the designated call-before-you-dig service that helps prevent dangerous and costly utility strikes.
As a proud member of the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), AEM supports Safe Digging Month. Safety is a key value which AEM upholds, and the association calls on its 1,100-plus members to spread awareness of the need to call 811 before taking part in digging projects, without exception.
“Safety always remains top of mind for AEM and the members we serve,” said AEM Vice President of Construction and Utility John Somers. “Safe Digging Month is a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of safe digging practices and utilizing the 811 system throughout the year,”
With that in mind, AEM encourages everyone planning a digging project to take the following steps:
- Always call 811 a few days in advance of a digging project, no matter the depth or familiarity with the property.
- Plan ahead and provide ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked.
- Confirm all lines have been marked with the one-call service and look for evidence of any utilities that may have been missed, as well as ensure all underground utilities are located prior to excavating.
- Strongly consider moving the location of the project if it’s near utility line markings.
- Know the tolerance zone in the state where the project is taking place. The exact distance that defines this area varies from state to state, along with the tools used to safely and effectively expose a buried facility.
- If a contractor has been hired, confirm a call to 811 has been made, and don’t allow work to begin if lines haven’t been marked.
- Every state offers its own 811 call center to help with digging efforts, and 811 representatives take information about impending projects and notify appropriate utility companies to mark buried lines so digging can safely occur around them.
AEM works diligently to promote 811 in a variety of different ways, including:
- AEM Safety Manuals provide information on how to use “Call 811”
- AEM member companies promote “Call 811” on their websites and through advertisement sliders and editorials
- References and instructions to “Call 811” are printed in their equipment operator’s manuals
- “Call 811” is mentioned in every AEM safety video that involves breaking ground
- “Call 811” is mentioned in safety toolbox talks
- AEM uses CGA’s website and marketing materials
“Safe machinery operation and job preparation save lives, and AEM is committed to working with industry stakeholders to promote proper safety messaging,” said Jaime Vos, director of AEM’s Safety Materials Program, which offers an extensive array of safety manuals, videos and related training materials.
For more information, check out the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) or contact AEM’s John Somers at jsomers@aem.org. For more information on AEM Safety Materials Program, contact AEM’s Jaime Vos at jvos@aem.org.
