MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) today announced that Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed April as Safe Digging Month, raising awareness of the simple measures Wisconsinites can take to keep their communities safe this digging season.
“I am proud to proclaim April as Safe Digging Month to remind folks of the proper precautions to take this digging season to protect our neighbors and our environment,” said Gov. Evers. “Safe digging starts with a free, simple call to Diggers Hotline at 8-1-1. Calling the Diggers Hotline and following proper safety precautions is a responsibility we all share to keep each other safe.”
The PSC would like to remind residents and contractors to always contact the Diggers Hotline, by phone at 8-1-1, or online at www.DiggersHotline.com, before they dig. The Diggers Hotline is a free, statewide, one-call system that allows the general public and professionals undertaking excavation to inform multiple utility and telecommunications providers of planned excavation. The one-call center alerts the appropriate underground facility owner so they can dispatch locators to mark the approximate location of underground facilities with paint, stakes, or flags. Then, it is safe to dig around the marked locations.
“No matter the size of a project, a free call to 8-1-1 before digging can keep our communities safe and connected,” said Chairperson Summer Strand. “I want to thank Governor Evers for again proclaiming April as Safe Digging Month and raising awareness of the Diggers Hotline to help prevent dangerous and expensive accidents in Wisconsin.”
Under state law, individuals are required to notify the Diggers Hotline at least three days before they excavate, grade, trench, dig, drill, auger, tunnel, scrape, and/or plow or drive cable or pipes. Once the locations are marked, an 18-inch buffer zone must be maintained on each side of a marked facility and mechanized equipment cannot be used within the buffer zone.
Violations of state law can be reported to the Diggers Hotline Enforcement Center. If probable cause of a violation is found, a panel of Diggers Hotline stakeholders will decide between education or a referral to the PSC. If the case is referred to the PSC, an investigation will determine if there was a violation of the law and subsequent fines or legal action.
The Governor’s Safe Digging Month proclamation is available here.
An online version of this release is available here.
