People reminded to call before digging

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. » Contractors and homeowners in New York are being reminded to call before they dig. New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc., is encouraging customers to call 811 to have underground utilities marked before any digging work begins. To have the underground utilities marked, individuals or companies should contact Dig Safely New York by calling 811 between two and 10 full working days before the start of any excavation project.

This is essential to protect themselves and others from injury and to prevent damage to underground utility lines, a press release from NYSEG said.

“As the summer construction season starts to wind down, many New York residents are working expeditiously to complete outdoor home improvement projects before cold weather moves in,” the release said. “It’s important for a do-it-yourselfer or a contractor to call 811 before performing any work that requires excavation or digging, such as construction of fences, decks or patios or other heavy construction projects.”

Every year, there are dozens of incidents involving third-party damage to NYSEG underground natural gas and electric facili

ties, the release continued, noting that many of these incidents that could put people’s lives in danger and interrupt essential utility service can be avoided by having utilities marked out before work begins.

Contractors are required by law to call Dig Safely New York before digging, and we strongly

encourage do- it-yourselfers to call as well,” Greg George, NYSEG’s vice president of gas engineering, said in the release. “Whether you’re putting in a foundation or just putting up a fence, making this simple call will help keep everyone safe.”

Some additional tips to follow for a safer project are:

• Plan to have underground utilities marked as part of all underground construction

• Mark out the area of

construction

• Call Dig Safely New York, a free and easy service at 811 or 1- 800- 9627962

• Provide adequate training and supervision on a job- site to assure that good construction practices are followed

• Properly maintain all underground utility markings

• Hand dig in the area of underground facilities

• Provide adequate protection and support for underground facilities

• Use and properly install suitable backfill material around underground facilities

• If underground facilities are damaged or disturbed, notify NYSEG by calling 1- 800- 572-1121 for a natural gas emergency and 1- 800- 572-1131 for an electric emergency, and NYSEG will come right away to ensure the site is safe and make repairs if required.

• If there is an immediate threat to life or safety, call 911.