In observance of National Safe Digging Month this April, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (“NIPSCO”) is reminding homeowners and professionals to contact Indiana811 before starting any outdoor digging projects. A recent national survey found that more than 27 million homeowners planning do-it-yourself digging and excavation projects will not call 811, which puts themselves, their neighbors and essential utility services at risk.
- Notify Indiana811 at least two full business days before the start of the digging project or excavation regardless of the project size or depth.
- Plan ahead – submit a free 811 request early in the week for weekend projects, ensuring enough time for marking.
- Confirm all utility lines are are marked before beginning work.
- Adjust project plans if necessary — consider relocating projects if they are too close to marked utility lines.
- Verify 811 contact with hired contractors — ensure they have requested utility markings before any work begins.
- Learn more at www.Indiana811.org.
Everyone who contacts Indiana811 before digging is connected to a local 811 center, which communicates the request to utility companies in the area. Professional locators will then visit the site and mark the approximate location of underground utilities using color-coded paint or flags. Once the area is marked, it is safe to begin digging while carefully avoiding the designated lines.
“Making a free 811 request before digging is a simple step that can prevent dangerous and costly mistakes,” added Parisi. “By spreading awareness and encouraging responsible digging practices, we can keep communities safe and prevent unnecessary utility disruptions."
For more information on safe digging and the Indiana811 process, visit www.Indiana811.org.
