FAYETTEVILLE, AR. – Apr. 14, 2020 — April is National Safe Digging Month, and during a time when our minds are on the current challenges facing our nation, Black Hills Energy is providing this safety reminder to emphasize the importance of safe digging.
In addition to warmer temperatures, spring brings with it home improvement and outside projects, and increased construction activity. With many of us spending more time at home, we may find the time to complete overdue home projects such as; installing that new mailbox, planting landscaping, or repairing a fence or deck. Here are some tips to remember:
1. Call or Click Before You Dig.
Whether you’re a homeowner planting a shrub or a contractor using a backhoe, always “Call Before You Dig” at least 2 working days in advance to have utility lines marked. You can call 811 toll-free, schedule online at www.arkonecall.com or download the Arkansas 811 App. It’s free, it’s safe and it’s the law.
After you call, utility locators will respond within two working days to mark the approximate location of buried utility lines at your site with color-coded paint or flags – at no charge to you. Yellow, for example, marks gas lines and red marks electric lines.
2. Mark Your Planned Excavation Site.
Using white spray paint, stakes, or flags mark the area around your planned excavation site before you call. “White-lining” helps the utility locator understand your plan and reduces the chance for project delays if the utility locator has to return to locate additional areas.
3. Respect the Marks.
Always carefully hand-dig with a shovel within 18 inches of any utility facilities as opposed to using heavy equipment. Use extreme care around all utility lines. Just a nick can create a weak spot that may develop into a gas leak, cause an electrical or internet outage or result in injury.
4. Don’t Rely on Old Line Locate Marks.
Project delays? If you don’t dig within 10 days of having utility lines marked, contact Arkansas 811 again. At no charge, utility locators will gladly return to re-mark the lines as quickly as possible. Never rely on outdated information.
“Public safety, the welfare of excavator work crews, and the safety of our employees are our primary concerns,” said Black Hills Energy Damage Prevention Coordinator, Kyle Coggins. “Whether your project is big or small, safe digging practices are critical to avoiding an incident that could become a tragedy.”
Failure to comply with Call Before You Dig laws, can result in civil penalties or the cost of expensive repairs to utilities and private property. More importantly, remember that hitting an underground utility line can cause widespread service outages, injury or death.
If a natural gas line is damaged accidentally or you smell the distinctive rotten-egg odor associated with natural gas, leave the area and then call 911 or the Black Hills Energy 24-hour emergency phone line at 800-890-5554. Do not operate any machinery or equipment that might cause a spark or create an open flame.
Visit www.call811.com or www.arkonecall.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices, and like the Black Hills Energy Facebook page to learn how you can enter the Black Hills Energy Safe Digging Month sweepstakes giveaway beginning April 20, 2020.