2023 PENNSYLVANIA 811 SAFE DIGGING MONTH CAMPAIGN

Safe Digging Month is an awareness initiative sponsored by Pennsylvania 811 for the month of April.


For over fifty years Pennsylvania 811's mission has been to prevent damage to underground facilities. To promote safety, we provide an efficient and effective communications network among project owners, designers, excavators, and facility owners. Since our inception in 1972, we have increased membership from 6 utilities in one county to over 3,700 underground facility owners and operators in all 67 counties. The service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

The organization incorporated in 1978. The national 811 emergency number went live in 2008. Act 50 (2017) became effective on April 28, 2018, and the electronic "member mapping" service became a requirement for all members. In 2022, Pennsylvania 811 received close to 1,050,000 excavation notifications, and transmitted approximately 6.8 million notifications to their member facility owners and operators allowing essential utility and construction crews to provide vital underground services and repair to critical infrastructure to communities throughout Pennsylvania.

With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law and the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, we anticipate an increase in projects throughout Pennsylvania that will impact the construction industry as well as the underground facility owners. 

We encourage everyone to get involved with promoting safe digging practices within your community. The call before you dig process helps to prevent injuries, property damages, inconvenient utility outages, and fines. Safe Digging is a shared responsibility among excavators, homeowners, facility owners, municipalities, cities and county level management and planners.  

Traditionally outdoor projects start in the spring. Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month serves as a reminder to all excavators and homeowners to call 811 at least 3 business days before you dig, so the approximate location of the underground utility lines can be identified and marked by facility owners. 

Join us in raising the public's awareness of underground safety. 

Most of our grassroot efforts include public awareness campaigns you can get involved with by using our graphics. The message is simple "Call 811 Before You Dig".  You can promote in your publications, newsletters, invoices, brochures, social media, community marquees, council or municipal meetings. 

For those who want to do more, you may contact us at contact@pa1call.org to discuss ways to share costs in advertising opportunities. 



2023 SAFE DIGGING MONTH SUPPORTERS

Locations on Map (click on the map to view details)
Proclamations, Resolutions and Letters of Support by Type




 

2023 Supporters of Safe Digging Month

Thank you to the following county officials, municipalities, facility owner members and Pennsylvania companies who are promoting safe digging practices within their communities and service areas this spring.

List of Safe Digging Month Supporters as of 4-28-2023


Proclamations, Resolutions and Letters of Support (listed by county)

Adams Allegheny Armstrong Beaver Bedford Berks Blair Bradford Bucks Butler Cambria Cameron Carbon Centre Chester Clarion Clearfield Clinton Columbia
Crawford Cumberland Dauphin Delaware Elk Erie Fayette Forest Franklin Fulton Greene Huntingdon Indiana Jefferson Juniata
Lackawanna Lancaster Lawrence Lebanon Lehigh
Luzerne Lycoming McKean Mercer Mifflin Monroe
Montgomery Montour
Northampton
Northumberland Perry Philadelphia Pike Potter Schuylkill Snyder Somerset Sullivan Susquehanna Tioga Union Venango Warren Washington Wayne Westmoreland Wyoming York

  • 04-28-23 Senator Lisa Baker, serving Pennsylvania's 20th District, promotes safe digging practices in her online newsletter.
  • 04-24-23 Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania reminds their customers "April is National Safe Digging Month". When clicking on DIG SAFELY,  their customers are directed to a wealth of information. The excavator is immediately reminded "Damage Prevention Starts with You". They can review the color codes that are used when a locator marks the underground lines and the tolerance zone. There's a list of specialists who can help an excavator when a problem arises in the field, or if an excavator needs clarification on how to complete a job safely. Website
 
 
  • 04-21-23 Pennsylvania News headliner: 'Who should you call before you start digging in Pennsylvania?" promotes calling 811 if you are digging around your residence on WHTM abc27.com and WETM mytwintiers.com online news websites.  Full Story 
  • 04-21-23 Tri-State Alert powered by NewsTalk 103.7 FM radio promotes 'April is Safe Digging Month - make sure you call 8-1-1 before you dig!" More information
  • 04-20-23 Pennsylvania Public Utility Comission (PUC) took the opportunity today to remind homeowners, businesses, contractors, facility owners and anyone else involved in exavation projects of the importance of calling 8-1-1 before any project begins and allowing the appropriate time for utility operators to locate and mark their lines before any digging begins. "The facts related to safe digging are very clear -- we can prevent a majority of line hits and incidents if everyone calls 8-1-1 before excavation projects begin and follows proper procedures when working around underground utility lines," noted Commissioner John F. Coleman, Jr. Press Release
  • 04-12-23 Westmoreland County Commissioners present Brandon Dujmic, Pennsylvania 811 Damage Prevention Liaison, with a proclamation declaring April as Safe Digging Month (l to r) Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher, Brandon Dujmic and Commissioner Douglas Chew. 
Westmoreland-comm.png
 
  • 04-11-23 McKean County Commissioners adopt April as Safe Digging Month. Kirk Kirkpatrick, Pennsylvania 811 Damage Prevention Liaison, was present to receive the proclamation from (l to r) Commissioner Clifford D. Lane, Commissioner Thomas F. Kreiser, Commissioner Carol E. Duffy and Kirk Kirkpatrick.
  • 04-10-23 National Fuel reminds the public to "Call Before You Dig" Pennsylvania state law requires residents to call 811 before digging to have underground utility lines professionally located and marked. Digging without knowing the approximate loction of underground lines can result in serious injuries, service disruptions and costly repairs. "All excavation projects - even small or shallow digging projects like planting trees and shrubs, or installing a fence or mailbox require a call," said Carly Manino, spokeperson for National Fuel. The Corry Journal 
  • 04-10-23 Carbon County Commissioners recognize April as Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month by adopting a proclamation on Thursday. Read online how each commissioner talked about the benefits of notifying 811 before digging. 
  • 04-10-23 Franklin County Commissioners highlight the importance of safe digging practices during construction projects by recognizing April 2023 as Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month.
  • 04-06-23 Centre County Commissioners adopt April as Safe Digging Month at their meeting. Mark Lipka, Pennsylvania 811 Supervisor-Education, was present to receive the proclamation from Commissioner Amber Concepcion, Commissioner Mark Higgins, Mark Lipka and Commissioner Steven Dershem.
  • 04-02-23 Every digging project, no matter how large or small, contact 8-1-1. In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, Pennsylvania 811 is encouraging homeowners and professional excavators to contact 811 at least 3 business days before digging, so that the approximate location of underground utility lines can be identified and marked by the facility owners in advance. 
  • 03-31-23 Pennsylvania State Representative Nick Pisciottano, Legislative District 38, Allegheny County, acknowledges Safe Digging Month in an email bulletin sent to his subscribers.
  • 03-31-23 Peoples Gas reminds their customers to Dig Safely this Spring. Freddy the Flame
  • 03-31-23 Blawnox Borough reminds residents to contact 811 before digging in their newsletter. March/April 2023
  • 03-31-23 Mercer County Commissioners adopt April as Safe Digging Month at their meeting. Kirk Kirkpatrick, Pennsylvania 811 Damage Prevention Liaison, was present to receive the proclamation form Commissioners Scott Boyd and Timothy McGonigle.
  • 04-12-23 Fulton County Commissioners put pen to paper on March 28 and recognized the month of April as Pennsylvania "811 Safe Digging Month" with a proclamation and a support letter. Agenda: 3-28-23
  • 03-28-23 Sullivan County Commissioners adopt April as Safe Digging Month at their meeting. Maria White, Pennsylvania 811 Damage Prevention Liaison, was present to receive it from Commissioners Lannone, Hoffman and Fenton. 
  • 03-27-23 Township of Ferguson Pennsylvania. The Board Proclamation: April is Pennsylvania Safe Digging Month. website 
  • 03-24-23 Bradford County Commissioners proclaim April as Safe Digging Month and will promote safety and responsiblity concerning excavations in the month of April. The Daily Review. Mark Lipka, Pennsylvania 811 Supervisor-Education, was present when Commissioners Daryl Miller and John Sullivan discussed safe digging practices during their meeting.
23-03-23-Bradford-County-Proclamation-MJL.jpg
  • 03-23-23 Pennsylvania House of Representatives recognizes the month of April 2023 as Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe Digging Month. Sponsored by Robert F. Matzie, signed by the Speaker of the House Joanna E. McClinton.
  • 03-23-23 Pennsylvania State Representative Ryan Warner, Legislative District 52, Fayette County, acknowledges Safe Digging Month with a Letter of Support. 
  • 03-14-23 Pennsylvania State Senator Jay Costa, Legislative District 43, Allegheny County, acknowledges Safe Digging Month with a Letter of Support.
  • 03-14-23 Pennsylvania House of Representative Natalie Mihalek, Legislative District 40, Allegheny County, acknowledges Safe Digging Month with a Letter of Support. 
  • 03-13-23 Peters Creek Sanitary Authority (PCSA) promotes safe digging practices and acknowledges Safe Digging Month on their website. PCSA serve the needs of residents of Finleyville, Union Township, Nottingham Township and Peters Township and is located in Washington County.
  • 03-09-23 Concord Township, Delaware County encourages everyone to get involved with promoting safe digging practices within their community and service areas. Facebook post
  • 03-09-23 Brandon Dujmic, Pennsylvania 811 Damage Prevention Liaison, was presented with a proclamation from Greene County Commissioners Mike Belding and Betsy McClure in recognition of Safe Digging Month in April. Waynesburg, PA. Facebook March 8, 2023. 
  • 03-08-23 Indiana County Commissioners approved a proclamation of April 2023 as "Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month," hailing the initiative sponsored for over 50 years by Pennsylvania 811, a utillty notification information center. The Indiana Gazette 
  • 03-08-23 Utility Safety Resolutions Approved in Lewisburg, PA. The Union County commissioners on Tuesday designated April as Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. The Standard Journal release
  • 03-08-23 Buffalo Township, Washington County promotes safe digging practices by encouraging everyone to join them in raising the public's awareness of underground safety. 
  • 03-07-23 Mayor Jennifer Fulmer Vinson of Clarion Borough presented a proclamation for Safe Digging Month to Kirk Kirkpatrick, Damage Prevention Liaison, at their Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, March 7. Clarion Borough, Clarion County
  • 02-15-23 Commissioners Designate April as Safe Digging Month in Clarion County. Commissioner Ted Tharan, a former contractor, stated the consequences of not notifying Pennsylvania 811 could be disastrous. Clarion County Release  


2023 SAFE DIGGING MONTH COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

Campaign materials include written communications, artwork and logos, templates, and social media hash tags and snippets.

Introduction

Traditionally outdoor projects start in the spring. Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month serves as a reminder for all excavators and homeowners to contact 811 at least three business days before you dig, so that the approximate location of underground utility lines can be identified and marked by facility owners. The contact 811 before you dig process helps to prevent injuries, property damage, and inconvenient utility outages.

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FUNDING
This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will rebuild Ameria's roads, bridges and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis, advance environemental justice, and invest in communities that have far too often been left behind. The legislation will help ease inflationary pressures and strength supply chains by making long overdue improvements for our nation's ports, airports, rail and roads. - President Joe Biden

SAFE DIGGING MONTH is an awareness initiative sponsored by Pennsylvania 811 for the month of April. 

  • Repair and rebuild roads and bridges - Pennsylvania will receive $11.3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and repairs

  • Improve health, sustainable transportation options - $2.8 billion over five years to improve public transportation including improvements and expansion across the state

  • Connect every Pennsylvanian to reliable high-speed internet - $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the commonwealth

  • Prepare more of our infrastructure for impactful events - $49 million over five years to protect against wildfires, $25 million to protect against cyber-attacks, $3.5 billion investment in weatherization to reduce energy costs for families

  • Deliver clean drinking water - $1.4 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure

  • Improve commonwealth airports - $355 million over five years

All of the infrastructure improvements involve digging. 

We need you to help promote safe digging practices within your influence. Get involved by downloading our materials to promote safe digging.

Thank you. We appreciate your time and consideration.

Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc. dba Pennsylvania 811