Palmetto State News

Attorney General Alan Wilson is emphasizing the importance of calling 811 before commencing any digging projects, as April marks National Safe Digging Month. This advice targets everyone, not just contractors and utilities, highlighting that projects of any size, whether it involves planting a garden or installing a mailbox, can come with risks. Many utilities lie merely inches below the ground.

The number 811 is a nationally designated service from the Federal Communications Commission, set to aid do-it-yourselfers, landscapers, and contractors in avoiding unintentional damage to underground utility lines during digging projects.

Damaging utilities can lead to severe consequences, including service disruptions or even deadly incidents, especially if gas or electric lines are affected. Repair liabilities can amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Moreover, the Attorney General can impose fines under the South Carolina Underground Damage Prevention Act.

For those planning projects, locating underground utilities ahead of time is crucial. This can be arranged by calling 811 or using the online platform Exactix at https://exactix.sc811.com. Making a locate notice request through Exactix is quick and can be done from a computer or cell phone, requiring a submission three full business days before work begins.

SC811 provides an online training program at https://sc811.com/education-outreach/online-training/ to foster awareness of safe digging practices in South Carolina. To ensure safety, anyone planning to dig, even for basic projects, is urged to visit www.SC811.com for further information.