CHAMBERSBURG – The Franklin County Commissioners are highlighting the importance of safe digging practices during construction projects by recognizing April 2023 as Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month in Franklin County.
Safe Digging Month is promoted annually by Pennsylvania 811, a utility notification information center, in an effort to encourage homeowners, businesses and contractors to plan ahead before beginning excavation on outdoor projects, which often begin in the spring.
Homeowners or contractors should dial 811 or submit an online request at pa1call.org/notify at least three days before digging. Pennsylvania 811 will then notify the appropriate underground utility operators in the municipality in which the work will be performed. After receiving that notification, the underground utility operators will visit the work site to mark the approximate location of their underground utilities with flags or temporary paint. The service is free to homeowners working on their residential properties. There is a small annual fee for professional contractors to receive unlimited use of the service.
By calling 811 before digging, homeowners and contractors are helping to protect underground utilities, which ultimately protects themselves, work crews and their neighbors from unsafe digging practices and associated hazards, including injuries, property damage and unexpected utility outages. In 2022, Pennsylvania 811 received nearly 1,050,000 excavation notifications. With the passage of both the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, Pennsylvania 811 anticipates the number of projects to grow along with an increased need for safe digging practices.
For more information on Pennsylvania 811 and safe digging practices, visit www.pa1call.org.
