Black Hills : National Safe Digging Day Is 8-11

Call 811 to have utility lines marked before you dig: it's free, it's safe and it's the law

CASPER, WYOMING. - August 11, 2017 - It is no accident that National Safe Digging Day is Aug. 11, providing an important reminder about the state law requiring everyone to dial 811 to have underground utility lines marked before you break ground. It's free, it's safe and it's the law.

Actually, every day must be considered a 'safe digging day.' The 'Call Before You Dig' law applies at all times, to everyone - whether you're a homeowner setting a fencepost or a contractor conducting a large excavation.

In Wyoming contact One Call of Wyoming toll-free at 811 or go to www.onecallofwyoming.com. Utility specialists will visit your site for free and mark the approximate location of buried utility lines with color-coded paint or flags - at no charge to you. Yellow, for example, marks natural gas lines.

'Safety is always our first priority at Black Hills Energy, and we want to help our customers stay safe,' said Shirley Welte, Black Hills Energy's Wyoming vice president of natural gas and electric operations. 'When you're planning to dig, don't make a judgement call, make a phone call. Know what's below - call 811 at least two business days before you plan to dig.'

Every six minutes in the United States, an underground utility line is damaged because someone didn't call 811 at least two business days before digging. The risk can lurk just inches below the surface. How deep the utility lines are buried can change due to erosion, previous digging and uneven terrain. A hit line carries the potential for serious personal injury and expensive property damage.

Visit www.blackhillsenergy.com for more information about 811, safe digging practices, how to save money by saving energy, and other energy-related services and information.

Tags:news