When should you contact 811? Anytime you plan to dig.
The national call-before-you-dig number is a hotline that residents are required by law to contact before digging. The free service marks underground utility lines, preventing accidents and costly repairs.
During National Safe Digging Month, Southern California Edison is reminding those starting spring do-it-yourself jobs or hiring contractors to kick-off activities safely. Dial 811 or schedule an appointment online with DigAlert at least two working days before digging.
From small projects like planting trees and shrubs to bigger ones like installing a new fence, mailbox, sprinklers or pool, it’s in everyone’s best interest to call.
A recent survey found that 46% of Americans do not plan to notify 811 before digging because they believe their projects are too shallow to warrant a request. However, any digging requires contacting 811.
“Calling 811 helps avoid injuries and outages caused by unintentionally digging into buried electric, gas, communications, water or sewer lines,” said Ted Gribble, SCE principal manager of Wildfire and Public Safety. “Last year, dig-ins caused 65 power outages, impacting 68,996 customers.”
Once you schedule your appointment and are issued a ticket number, prepare for your visit by marking the project site. Use spray chalk or white paint for paved surfaces and flags or stakes for unpaved surfaces.
Keep in mind that you need to maintain an active ticket for the duration of your project and preserve the markings. Your ticket is valid for 28 days from issuance — not when you first break ground.
If any of the markings are damaged and difficult to see, contact 811 or visit DigAlert.org and reference your ticket number to request re-marking.
Additional tips to keep you and others safe when working on a digging project:
- If a contractor is digging, first confirm they have called 811.
- Consider moving the project’s location if it is too close to utility line markings.
- Use hand tools when digging within 24 inches on each side of the marked utility lines.
- Keep utility flags, stakes or paint in place until the project is completed.
- If you hit a utility line or encounter any other electrical hazard, such as a downed wire, stay at least 100 feet away and call 911 immediately. Report it to SCE’s emergency line at 1-800-611-1911.
- Always contact DigAlert for the most current requirements.
For more information, visit sce.com/safety.
