46% of Americans plan to dig without first contacting 811, according to a recent survey conducted by the Common Ground Alliance.

The CGA’s national survey – released in April in observance of National Safe Digging Month – found that 68% of Americans intend to tackle a do-it-yourself project involving digging within the next year, but 27.2 million of them don’t plan to contact 811 before breaking ground.

This is illegal and dangerous.

A survey conducted by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) found that 46% of Americans plan to dig without contacting 811.

Whether you’re a homeowner or a contractor, you’re required by law to contact your local 811 before breaking ground on any size of excavation project. Digging without knowing what’s below leaves you at risk of striking a buried utility, which could disrupt nearby residences and businesses and endanger anyone in the vicinity of the excavation.

“Our survey found that 46% of Americans don’t plan to notify 811 before digging, with most believing their project is too shallow to merit an 811 request,” said CGA President and CEO Sarah K. Magruder Lyle. “This misconception puts homeowners and their neighbors at risk of injury and utility service interruptions. The reality is that utility lines can be buried just inches below the surface, which is why everyone must contact 811 before every digging project—whether it’s installing a patio or major construction.”

To protect everyone safe from the consequences of subsurface damage, it’s vital that you call 811 to request they contact their partner utility companies to mark out with flags and paint the approximate location of underground lines within your project area. This a free service.

Additional steps to take to mitigate subsurface damage includes:

• Confirm that all lines have been marked.
• Consider moving the location of the project if it is near utility line markings.
• If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has contacted 811. Don’t allow work to begin if the lines aren’t marked.

Everyone who contacts 811 a few days before digging is connected to a local 811 center that collects the information and communicates it to local utility companies. Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with spray paint, flags or both. Once a site has been accurately marked, it is safe to begin digging around the marked areas.

How SiteMap® and GPRS Complement Your 811 Locate

While you should always contact your local 811 One Call Center prior to digging, you should also hire a professional private utility locating company to locate and map all buried utilities in your intended dig area before you put a shovel or bucket in the ground.

GPRS is the nation’s largest professional private utility locating company. We’ve achieved and maintain a 99.8%+ accuracy rate when locating buried utilities, allowing us to compliment 811 services and the tools that support them.

Utilizing ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanners and electromagnetic (EM) locators, our SIM-certified Project Managers collect the accurate, complete data you need to stay on time, on budget, and safe. And this information is always at you and your team’s fingertips thanks to SiteMap®, our facility & project management application that provides existing conditions documentation to protect your assets and people.

GPRS’ SiteMap Team Members are currently scheduling live, personal SiteMap demos. Click below to schedule your free demo today!