It’s national Dig Safely Month, and Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. reminds anyone planning to dig to first call 811, the toll-free Dig Safely hotline, so that underground utility lines and equipment can be marked and properly identified prior to the start of excavation at no cost to the caller.

“Prevention is the best way to avoid serious consequences associated with contacting or damaging underground utility lines,” said Paul E. Haering, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations at Central Hudson. “That’s why it is so important to know where underground facilities are located before excavation takes place. Calling 811, the toll-free Dig Safely hotline, is the law. Damaging underground systems is costly, detrimental to those whose services are interrupted and potentially hazardous to the excavator and public.”

Haering said that before digging, even by hand on a resident’s own property, be certain to first call 811 two to 10 days before any excavation takes place to ensure underground lines are located and marked. This toll-free national calling service connects excavators to their regional One-Call center that alerts utilities, municipalities and other parties of the intention to excavate at specific sites so that the lines can be properly marked. There is no charge for the service, and utility crews will locate and mark lines at no cost to the caller.

Once the lines are marked, workers must stay clear of the “tolerance zone,” which is an area two feet to either side of marked lines where mechanized equipment cannot be used until the underground facility is uncovered by hand digging. If contact with underground facilities occurs, the excavator must contact the utility immediately, whether or not the lines are damaged. Excavators must also understand the type of the underground facilities at their work location, for example whether natural gas, electric, telephone, water or other lines are present.

When working near utility underground or overhead lines, excavators and construction crews are always encouraged to contact Central Hudson and meet with a representative to review plans and discuss ways in which to work safely. Other recommended steps include:

• Establishing a communications plan with workers to inform them of the location and potential hazards of utility lines in the area;
• Creating a boundary around areas to be avoided, including guy wires, service lines, gas and electric meters, pad-mounted transformers and other facilities by using cones or tape;
• Keeping a safe distance from overhead utility facilities, at least 10 feet from local power lines and 25 feet or more from high-voltage transmission lines. Workers should carry ladders, pipes and other long objects horizontally rather than vertically and should wear appropriate safety gear.
• If contact is made with gas or electric utility lines, call 911 and never attempt to make any repairs or adjustments to utility facilities.
• If a gas odor is detected, remember to ‘ Go. Let Us Know’ by stopping all activities, evacuating all workers and others from the immediate vicinity and calling 911 and Central Hudson’s Gas Odor Response hotline at 1-800-942-8274 to report the odor.

Haering explained that the regulations are designed to protect excavators, the public and owners of underground lines. “A moment of inattentiveness can result in injury, damage or worse,” he said.

Additional information about the Dig Safely New York One-Call system and requirements for excavating near marked lines is available at www.DigSafelyNewYork.com; information on the 811 service is available at www.call811.com; click here to see a video by the American Gas Association on natural gas safety for children; 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 www.CentralHudson.com/safety/digsafely.

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