As part of National Safe Digging Month, PG&E will host two free 811 safe digging webinars for homeowners and contractors. The webinar sessions will provide an overview of the 811 process and guidance for digging safely once underground utilities have been marked. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions of PG&E 811 Damage Prevention experts in each session.
- WHAT: 811 Safe Digging Public Webinars
- WHO: PG&E Damage Prevention specialists will lead the sessions
- WHEN: Wednesday, April 21 – 2:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. / Saturday, April 24 – 10:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
- WHERE: Visit PGE.com/811 for links to each 811 webinar
Throughout the pandemic, many homeowners are using their extra time at home to complete projects that require digging, according to a recent national survey conducted by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA).
In fact, the survey shows that one in five homeowners (20%) have been more likely to do a home improvement involving digging since the pandemic began – particularly gardening projects, and 56% of homeowners who are planning to plant a tree or shrub this year said they were more likely to dig while having extra time at home.
The most popular planned projects cited among surveyed homeowners who plan to dig include:
- Planting a tree or shrub: 62%
- Building a fence: 37%
- Building a deck or patio: 32%
- Installing a mailbox: 20%
- Installing a pool: 6%
- Something else: 26%
Additionally, of the millions of homeowners who plan to dig this year for projects like gardening, building a fence or deck, installing a mailbox and more, nearly two in five (37%) will put themselves and their communities at risk by digging without contacting 811 beforehand to learn the approximate location of underground utilities.
Customers should call 811 three days before starting a digging project, no matter how large or small, to have the location of underground utility lines marked. 811 is a free service, and calling 811 will help customers keep their families and neighbors safe and connected to essential utility services, and to avoid potentially costly repairs.
9 comments
They better take care of there own safety problems first.
“Dig ins” are a daily occurrence, if you did not call 811…..you’ll receive a bill for repairs.
If you used day laborers…….the bill will go to homeowner.
Anon-
You are so right. This is a great free service that
everyone should use for their own safety. People
have been killed digging into buried electrical lines.
You could hit gas lines, water lines or buried
telephone cable. Don’t take a risk. Call and be
safe. It can save you money too.
They’re on drugs if they think I’m going to call every time I want to dig a hole in my yard.
The one time I called 811 they showed up and spray painted a bunch of line identifiers in the street in safety orange and yellow. It took years for them to fade. Finally I went out with black spray paint and covered it up.
The one time I needed digging done I called the 811 number. It was answered by someone in So Cal who said they couldn’t help me in No Cal. I hope they have improved since then but not going to try and find out.
If I have to call someone every time I need to dig a hole to bury the dead hooker, my career as a serial killer will be short-lived.
Burying bodies must be under the 26% of “Something else” 😁
So if you tell PGnE that you’re thinking about digging some post holes, making a koi pond, or whatever, do they notify your city building department?
Rolaids-
No just owners of the underground facilities such as
PG&E, gas, electric, water companies, sewer, City
electrical for street lights signal intersections, AT&T
phone, Comcast, anybody with fiber. Pretty much the
word goes out to everybody that has facilities in the ground.
No one calls the local building department. Anyone who
diggs should avail themselves of this great free service.
You’ll be glad you did.
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