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Safe Digging Month Begins April 1

BATON ROUGE – The safety campaign known as “Call 811 Before You Dig” is underway once again this Spring 2011.

Governor Bobby Jindal has proclaimed the month of April as “Safe Digging Month”. The state of Louisiana promotes this nationwide effort each year and the law requires notification to Louisiana One Call before anyone begins a digging operation.

According to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Common Ground Alliance, all it takes is simply calling 811 before starting excavation or demolition work to help prevent injuries or damage to underground utilities and pipelines.

Call 811 if you are putting up a fence or building a backyard deck, and professional locators will mark the location of buried lines to prevent power outages and/or personal injuries. There is no charge to Louisiana One Call to assure that you dig safely. According to Damage Prevention Manager David Frey, a 48-hour notice is required before starting a project.

DNR, and the departments of Transportation and Development and Environmental Quality, and State Police all support the campaign.

For additional information, contact Louisiana One Call at 800-272-3020.

See Gov. Proclamation

La. One Call Poster