Special to Florida Construction News
Spring is here and that means it’s prime time for construction starts – and, unfortunately, for underground utility damage. April is National Safe Digging Month, a timely reminder for everyone in the construction industry that even simple projects can turn dangerous if underground utility lines aren’t located first.
Last year, Florida experienced more than 28,000 damages to underground utility lines. Striking a line can lead to costly repairs, service disruptions and dangerous situations involving gas, electric or water.
To help professional contractors reduce risk and prevent damage, Sunshine 811 is highlighting five common mistakes that can be easily avoided by following the safe digging process:
- Skipping the 811 call: This is the leading cause of damage to underground utilities and is entirely preventable. Contacting 811 before digging allows utility companies to mark the location of buried lines so you can work safely. It’s also required by law in Florida.
- Not waiting the required time to dig so underground utility lines can be marked: Florida law requires a two-day wait after submitting your locate request so utility operators can accurately mark underground lines.
- Ignoring private lines that need marked: Utility companies mark public lines such as gas, electric, communications and water mains. Property owners are responsible for identifying private lines, including irrigation systems, landscape lighting, pool pumps, gas lines to grills and water lines beyond the meter.
- Overlooking the rules around easements: Utility easements grant access to portions of a property for maintenance and repairs. These areas may restrict excavation activities. Utility boxes and pedestals indicate the presence of underground lines and should never be dug or planted around.
- Underestimating the damage hand tools and equipment can cause: A shovel, post-hole digger or powered equipment can easily strike shallow or deep utility lines. Even small projects can result in major damage if lines are not properly marked first.
“Underground utility damage is rarely intentional, but it’s almost always avoidable,” said Wendy Schaefer, education and awareness manager for Sunshine 811. “When contractors follow the safe digging process and contact 811 first, they can cut the risk and not the line, significantly lowering the chances of injury, service disruptions and costly repairs.”
Floridians can contact 811 by dialing the number directly or by visiting sunshine811.com and selecting “Create a Ticket.” Sunshine 811 also provides year-round education through its online Learning Center, which offers resources and videos on the six essential steps for safe digging, damage prevention, safe planting practices and more.
Celebrating more than 30 years of work to make Florida the safest place to dig, Sunshine 811 is the state’s go-to resource for education and training on the safe digging process. It’s also the organization the law requires you to call before starting any digging project. Sunshine 811 maintains a toll-free number and a 24/7 online system to notify its member utility companies of pending excavation projects so buried utility lines can be located and marked to protect the underground infrastructure.
It’s estimated that a utility line is damaged 73 times every day in Florida. Sunshine 811’s efforts are all about ensuring public safety and preventing underground utility damage. With Florida’s continued ranking as one of the top states in the country for construction activity and related jobs, safe digging in Florida and Sunshine 811’s role has never been more important.