Gov. Deal proclaims April as safe digging month in Georgia
Published 7:18 pm Tuesday, April 24, 2018
- With Gov. Nathan Deal for the proclamation signing are Tiffany Baker, DOT/PHMSA; Allen Bell, Georgia Power; Mike Bell, Kinder Morgan; Michael Borem, Norfolk Southern; Ashley Carr, AT&T; Vikki McReynolds Consiglio, GUCA; Maria Copeland, Georgia 811; Bill Edge, Georgia PSC; Wendell "Rob" Holbrook, Cobb County DOT; Mike Jewell, city of Covington; Samuel Maldonado, DOT/PHMSA; Joey Martin, ER Snell; Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Georgia PSC; David Moellering, Georgia Highway Contractors Association; Bob Murphy, Georgia 811; Shannon Palmiter, Georgia 811; James Powell, DOT/PHMSA; Commissioner Tricia Pridemore, Georgia PSC; Terry Pritchett, Georgia PSC; Frankie Rigdon, Ellijay Telephone Co.; Roy Rogers, Blount Construction; Phyllis Stallings, Cobb County DOT; Tom Tarver, Kinder Morgan; Adam Wise, Georgia Telecommunications Association; Meghan Wade, Georgia 811; Monique Wright, Georgia Association of Broadcasters; and Mark Woodall, Associated General Contractors of Georgia.
DULUTH — On April 10, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal issued a proclamation announcing April as Georgia Safe Digging Month. The proclamation reminds Georgia homeowners to contact Georgia 811 before starting any digging projects.
Many stakeholders came out to the capitol to receive Gov. Deal’s signed proclamation, including Public Service Commissioners Lauren “Bubba” McDonald and Tricia Pridemore.
“Calling 8-1-1 is the best way to prevent damage to our underground utilities,” Commission Chairman Lauren McDonald said. “Everyone loses when underground utilities are damaged. We are pleased to work with Georgia 811, our federal partners and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners to prevent damages from occurring to the state’s underground utility facilities. Our common goals are to prevent the disruption of utility services and personal injures that result from accidents which damage underground facilities.”
As April marks the start of the spring digging season, Georgia 811 and Gov. Deal are encouraging homeowners to contact 811 online or by phone before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages. Every nine minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811.
When calling 811, homeowners are connected to Georgia 811, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once lines have been accurately marked, digging can begin around marked lines.
“We join the governor in strongly encouraging individuals and companies to call 811 before they begin digging,” said Meghan Wade, Georgia 811’s president. “By having underground lines marked, homeowners are making an important decision that can help keep them and their communities safe and connected.”
Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, necessitates contacting 811. Installing a mailbox, putting in a fence, building a deck and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects that need a call to 811 before starting.
Visit Georgia811.com for more information about 811 and the call-before-you-dig process.
