Duke Energy Reminds Hoosiers Of Digging Safety

To avoid this risk, Duke Energy encourages all customers to call 811 before any digging project, no matter how large or small.

(Plainfield, Ind.) - Spring is here, and that means heading outside for new yard projects. Before starting a new project that requires digging, it is important to be fully prepared.

That's why Duke Energy is reminding customers and communities to call the national "811 Call Before You Dig" system. 

By calling "811" before digging, you are protecting the nation's underground utility network, prevent potential personal injury and avoid electric and natural gas outages.

This reminder follows stay-at-home orders, which is leading to many across the country finding extra time for yard projects that involve digging.

The national “811 Call Before You Dig” allows anyone who plans to dig anywhere to call to have underground utility lines clearly marked. The goal of this effort is to prevent potential injuries, disruptions in utility services and costly repairs for the offenders.

This service is free and available for all property types including homes and businesses. 

A simple calls notifies utility companies to send crews to identify and clearly mark underground electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable TV and other utility lines. 

In 2019, Duke Energy reported almost 500 incidents of damage to its underground electrical network just in Indiana.

“Hitting an underground utility line can cause service interruptions and possibly injuries. To avoid this risk, we encourage all of our customers to call 811 before any digging project, no matter how large or small,” said Stan Pinegar, Duke Energy state president for Indiana.

The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) reported that 509,000 excavation-related damages to underground facilities occurred nationwide in 2018.  This was up from the 439,000 damages in 2017. 

For more information about the national system and about the 811 office in your state, visit call811.com.

For additional information on Indiana 811, click here.

To see a video that shows how to use 811 click here. For additional information, see our story on illumination: Before you dig, call 811. It’s free.