Your Safety

Think and Dig Safely

Every day, thousands of contractors, plumbers, landscapers and homeowners are involved in some type of excavation. Since most electric, cable TV, and telephone lines and natural gas, water and sewer pipes in Oklahoma are located underground, digging can carry potential for disaster. Prior notification of excavation and location of these underground facilities are required by law. Those who choose to ignore the danger by digging blindly or failing to familiarize themselves about damage prevention may find themselves 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.

Here’s what may happen if you don’t call OKIE:

•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.

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 Call Okie, (1-800-522-OKIE) excavators begin to appreciate and understand that damages to underground facilities are preventable with one free call.

You can download a free copy of our Users Guide Here.