Why Should I DIAL 811?
Every day, thousands of contractors, plumbers, landscapers and homeowners are involved in some type of excavation. Since most electric, cable TV, telephone, natural gas, water and sewer pipes in Oklahoma are located underground; digging can carry the potential for disaster. Prior notification of excavation and location of these underground facilities are required by law. The law requires the excavator or anyone working for the excavator to give notice no more than 10 days nor less than 48 hours, excluding Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays before excavation is set to begin.
Those who choose to ignore the danger by digging blindly or failing to familiarize themselves with damage prevention may be facing legal enforcement and fines.
Most projects are completed on schedule without any site incidents; however, some excavation projects may result in substantial damage to property, injury and even death.
What may happen if you don’t Call OKIE:
- Death or Injuries involving medical treatments plus lost wages
- Interrupted services and cut cables, Emergency calls to 911 centers blocked, In-home medical equipment down
- Project delays and construction downtime, idle crews standing by
- Environmental and property damage costs
- Legal problems from damage to property and/or injury could include legal fees, “Loss of Use” damages, punitive damages and court costs (See Oklahoma Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act 142.9.a.c)
Using Call Okie to locate underground facilities before digging is the first step to damage prevention. Excavation safety can be a complex process requiring communication and cooperation between everyone involved in the excavation. It’s important to be committed to safety and to the prevention and elimination of damage.
By contacting DIAL 811 or submitting a ticket on-line excavators begin to appreciate and understand that damages to underground facilities are preventable with one free call.
Smart digging is no accident! DIAL 811
