Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/263143
32 • MARCH 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS This month, especially with the new season really starting to gear up, I have been asked to talk about always utilizing 811 – the call before you dig number – which so many of you do al- ready. However, for the newcomers to the industry and for those who haven't bothered to call 811 before – or for those who really haven't called often enough – you really should pay atten- tion to what the concept of identifying underground utilities to minimize the risk of digging into them is all about. The national 811 "call before you dig" number was created to help pro- tect you from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while work- ing on excavation projects. It simpli- fies the process enormously, and there is no excuse for not using it. Excavators often make risky as- sumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked due to concerns about project delays, costs and previous calls about other projects. These assumptions can be life threatening! Every digging job re- quires a call – even small projects like planting small trees or shrubs. If you hit an underground utility line while digging, you can harm your- self or those around you, disrupt serv- ice to an entire neighborhood, and potentially be responsible for fines and repair jobs. You may be wondering exactly who is behind the 811 campaign? The answer to your question is the Com- mon Ground Alliance (CGA). CGA is the leading association created specif- ically to work with all industry stake- holders in an effort to prevent damage to underground utility infrastructure and insure public safety and environ- mental protection. Officially formed in 2000, CGA represents a continuation of the United States Department of Transportation's Common Ground Study – a study that highlighted the need for one organiza- tion to continuously update best prac- tices among the growing underground utility industry. Along with the new 811 number, CGA and its 1,400 members and spon- sors have launched a national "Call Before You Dig" campaign to increase public awareness about the importance of using 811, having utility lines marked before digging, and protecting America's vast underground infra- THE HUMAN LINK by Jim Lucci Management Motivational Associates structure of pipe lines, conduits, wires and cables. Now, the question becomes how exactly does this work? It's as simple as 811. Call 811 from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging, and your call will be routed to your local One Call Center. Tell the opera- tor where you are planning to dig, what type of work you will be doing, and your affected local utilities com- panies will be notified about your in- tent to dig. In a few days, they'll send a locator to mark the approximate lo- cation of your underground lines, pipes, and cables so you'll know what's below and you will be able to dig safely. Remember, always call 811 be- fore you start any digging project! You will avoid injury, expense, embarrass- ment, and a very inconvenient day in the dark, so to speak. A fence has always been the best option to create privacy for a home and secure a yard, but digging multi- ple holes for fence posts without knowing what's below can result once again in injury, expenses, and penal- ties. Fence installation always requires a call to 811. Installing a fence re- quires digging multiple holes in areas likely to contain underground utility lines such as long streets, rights of way or property lines, but marked lines show those who dig the approx- imate location of underground lines and help prevent undesired conse- quences. I know this may seem like an amazing grasp of the obvious to those of you who call religiously, but to the percentage who don't, or haven't, I am concentrating especially on getting their attention. Now I want to address some fre- quently asked questions, which are also contained on the web site www.call811.com. • I have called my local "Call Be- fore You Dig" number before. Will 811 replace this service? The answer is no. 811 will not re- place your local one call number. Your local affected utility companies will continue to be notified, and they will continue to mark underground lines for free. With more than 62 local one call numbers across the country, 811 elim- inates the confusion of multiple "call Protect yourself and others! Call before you dig! continued on page 80 See us at FenceTech 2014 Booth #903