BLACK HILLS CORPORATION April 30, 2015 - It's that time of year again, when many of us head out into the yard to dig into some of those long-awaited outdoor projects. But wait.
Before you pick up that shovel or jump onto that backhoe, follow the law and Call Before You Dig. Call 811 toll-free at least two days before your project begins, and the free service will send utility specialists out to locate and mark underground lines with color-coded paint or flags. For example, red designates underground power lines.
Failure to Call Before You Dig can result in large fines, responsibility for expensive repairs to public and private property, and put you, your family and everyone in the surrounding area in immediate danger.
"Public and employee safety are always our first priority, and we urge our customers to join us in putting safety first," said Christopher Burke, vice-president of electric utility operations for Black Hills Energy Colorado. "A seemingly casual project can end in disaster if you strike an underground utility line. Please follow the law and call before you dig."
The law applies whether you're a homeowner planting a tree or a contractor taking on a major excavation. The site owner, each contractor and each subcontractor must all call, even if you think someone else already did so.
"Black Hills Energy is responsible for 3,643 miles of electric lines in Colorado," Burke said. "Underground utility lines may be out of sight, but they should never be out of mind."
Additional information is available at www.call811.com, www.blackhillsenergy.com and by calling Black Hills Energy's customer service center at 866-890-5554. In the event of an unsafe condition related to your project or our lines, immediately call our 24-hour emergency number. Our 24-hour emergency number is 800-694-8989.
"Be safe and ensure the safety of everyone around you by contacting the free 'Call Before You Dig' service at 811 at least two days before you dig," Burke said. "It's free, it's safe and it's the law."
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