Press Release

PUC Highlights Safe Digging Month

Published on 4/20/2023

Filed under: Electric Gas Pipeline Telecommunications Water and Wastewater

Encourages Safe Digging Practices to Reduce Hits on Underground Utility Infrastructure; Notes Common Factors for Majority of Incidents

HARRISBURG - The month of April is National Safe Digging Month, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) took the opportunity today to remind homeowners, businesses, contractors, facility owners and anyone else involved in excavation projects of the importance of calling 8-1-1 before any project begins and allowing the appropriate time for utility operators to locate and mark their lines before any digging begins.

“The facts related to safe digging are very clear – we can prevent a majority of line hits and incidents if everyone calls 8-1-1 before excavation projects begin and follows proper procedures when working around underground utility lines,” noted Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr.

Common Unsafe Practices Involved in Majority of Incidents

According to a report from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the majority of all line hits in the United States can be attributed to three factors: 

• Inconsistent excavator practices – Steps to confirm the location of buried utilities and then maintain the required clearance around those utilities, are important in protecting the integrity of underground infrastructure, but 28% of all line hits in the U.S. can be attributed to a failure to confirm line locations or maintain clearance.
  
  
• Inconsistent use of 8-1-1 – Despite a very high awareness of 8-1-1 systems and requirements – particularly among professional excavators – 25% of all line strikes in the U.S. are due to a failure to place an excavation ticket prior to digging.
  
  
• Accurate, timely utility locating – Improving the accuracy of maps and implementing electronic systems to help locators complete their work more quickly and accurately could have a noticeable safety impact. A failure to locate accurately or on time is a factor in 22% of all line hits.
  
  

Pennsylvania Safe Digging – PA One Call

Pennsylvania law requires contractors and residents to contact the PA One Call system at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities and other facility owners to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 800-242-1776.

Data from cases brought before the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee (DPC) identified several clear risk factors for incidents that have occurred in communities across Pennsylvania:

• No call to 8-1-1 – The failure of contractors or homeowners to contact 8-1-1 prior to excavation was the most common factor identified by the DPC last year.
  
  
• No response or late response to an 8-1-1 ticket – In Pennsylvania incidents over the last year, the failure of utility facility owners to respond to an 8-1-1 call, or a late response to an 8-1-1 ticket, were the next common factors in incidents across the Commonwealth.
  
  
• Failure to respond to emergency notifications as soon as possible – Concerns about the timely response to emergency notifications were also identified by the DPC as one of the leading factors in violations issued by the DPC.
  
  

Safe Digging

During Safe Digging Month, and throughout the rest of the construction season, the PUC encourages project owners and excavators to take the following steps when planning a digging project this spring:

• Always contact 8-1-1 at least three business days before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with the property.
  
  
• Plan ahead by calling 8-1-1 early during the week, providing ample time for lines to be located and marked before starting any weekend projects.
  
  
• Confirm that all lines have been marked and file a renotification ticket for parties who have not responded or if you have reason to believe that a line was not marked.
  
  
• Consider relocating projects that are near utility line markings.
  
  
• Verify that a contractor has contacted 8-1-1 if you are using a contractor for your project, and do not allow work to begin if lines are not marked.
  
  

The PUC Damage Prevention Committee

The PUC's Damage Prevention Committee, (DPC) was created in 2017, when Pennsylvania's One Call Law was enhanced, with a focus on reducing the number of hits on underground utilities.

The DPC meets regularly to review alleged violations of the Act and makes determinations as to the appropriate response including, but not limited to, the issuance of warning letters or administrative penalties. In 2022 the DPC issued $1,020,750.00 in civil penalties for various violations of the PA One Call Law.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov