It's August 11 – do you know where your utility lines are?

The Common Ground Alliance has designated 8/11 as a convenient reminder to “call before you dig,” and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and its members are proud to support CGA and its programs.

“AEM and CGA have worked diligently together to promote safety in all utility excavation. Why? Because it saves lives,” said William “Bernie” Bernhard, AEM technical and safety services manager.

“Contractors, farmers, landscapers, homeowners and anyone involved in a digging project, no matter how large or small, needs to call 811. It’s a free call and the risk is just not worth it.”

Every six minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811, says CGA. From high-speed Internet, cable TV and phone to electric, gas, water and sewer lines, many are buried underground and hitting one can cause injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient neighborhood outages.

“Smart digging means calling 811 and using AEM’s safety manuals before each job,” says Bernhard.

AEM safety manuals specifically for underground excavation cover auger boring, backhoe loaders, compact excavators, digger derricks, directional drilling, hydraulic excavators, trenchers and vacuum excavators.

Visit safetymaterials.org as you prepare for your next excavation project.

Source: AEM