Springtime will be here before we know it, and that means thoughts of winter recreation are coming to an end and digging, planting, and building are now on our minds. You may have dreams of beautiful landscaping or moving ground for a new foundation, but before you dig, it is wise to think first what might be underground.
Striking a buried line can result in serious injury, service outages, costly repairs, and even life-threatening situations. Here are five helpful tips for safe spring digging.
- LINE LOCATE REQUEST: Visit colorado811.org or call 811 to submit a line locate request. Line locators from all of the utilities will be notified of your request to have the underground cables, wires, and utilities marked before you begin excavating so that you are safe and do not destroy important underground facilities. Colorado 811 recently launched its new Exactix Ticketing System offering an easier, faster, and more accurate way to submit locate tickets and benefit from improved communication.
- PLAN AHEAD: For weekend projects, submit your request early in the week so utility lines can be located and marked in advance.
- CONFIRM: Make sure that all lines have been marked before starting a project. GCEA Line Locator Shawn Smithpeters marks electrical lines, cables, and conduits with red paint or red flags. Other utilities are marked with different colors. If you provide your email address to 811, you will be notified when the work has been completed by each utility. When working with a contractor, confirm with them that lines have been identified before they begin their work.
- ALTERNATE PLANS: Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings.
- ALLOW FOR MARKING TOLERANCE: Locators are given an 18-inch grace on each side of their paint and flags. Allow for extra clearance and opt for hand digging in those areas.
Even small projects can be dangerous without proper line marking. Installing mailboxes, planting shrubs, or driving stakes into the ground can all put you at risk if you do not know what lies below the surface. Depth of utility lines can vary over time due to erosion, landscaping, or previous construction, so never assume it is safe to dig just because you have worked in an area before.
Remember, you can be seriously hurt if you dig into an electrical line — be sure to call 811 every time you dig. It’s never a question. Underground utilities are very dangerous and having paint or a flag markings can help prevent major harm or fatalities. It is always better to know before.
Alliy Sahgun is the member relations supervisor of Gunnison County Electric, a rural electric distribution cooperative based in Gunnsion, Colorado.
