Dig Safely Week Serves to Remind Excavators to Call

Ensuring that utility lines and underground facilities are identified prior to digging or excavating is an important safety measure. April 7 through 11 is officially designated as ‘Dig Safely Week’ in New York this year, said Charles A. Freni, Senior Vice President of Customer Services at Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation in urging the utility’s customers to call before they dig.

“Anyone, including contactors and homeowners, using mechanical means to excavate must contact Dig Safely New York at least two to 10 days prior to digging in order to prevent accidental contact with utility lines,” said Freni.

Residents and contactors may dial 811, a national calling service that connects excavators to their local one-call center, to notify utilities before digging. Central Hudson reminds anyone who plans to excavate to first call Dig Safely New York by dialing 811, or by calling the New York hotline directly at 1-800-962-7962.

Both “one-call” numbers are toll-free, and connect excavators to a statewide notification system that alerts utilities, municipalities and other parties that operate underground facilities of the intent to excavate at specific sites so that these facilities can be marked out.

“Serious consequences can result by contacting and damaging underground lines,” said Freni. Excavators can be subject to civil penalties and other liabilities, including costs to repair damage caused by excavation undertaken without prior notification. “Contact with underground facilities such as natural gas pipelines and high voltage electric lines can also cause serious injury to excavators and the general public, result in property damage, and interrupt vital utility services to homes, businesses and critical facilities, such as schools and hospitals,” said Freni. “These regulations are designed to protect excavators, the general public, and the owners of underground facilities.”

When working near utility lines, excavators and construction crews are also encouraged to contact Central Hudson and meet with a representative to review plans and discuss ways in which to work safely. Excavators should also establish a communications plan with their workers to inform them of the location and potential hazards of utility lines in the area.

Additional information about the Dig Safely New York One-Call system is available on their Web site at www.DigSafelyNewYork.com; information on the 811 service is available at www.call811.com; and to learn more about contractor safety and working near utility lines, call Central Hudson at (845) 452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714, or visit the Safety and Environment section at www.CentralHudson.com.

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