Natural Gas and 811 Day: Key Tips for Safe Digging
As we reach peak summertime activities, many of us are often scrambling to complete home projects while we can, from installing new mailboxes to planting trees or building a new patio, and while these activities can enhance our properties, they also pose a risk to underground utilities, including natural gas lines. Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) is here to share important tips for how you can dig safely and remain proactive when it comes to natural gas safety.
Every year on National 811 Day (August 11), our partners at Sunshine 811 remind us to be mindful of underground utilities before digging. Sunshine 811 is a free service that notifies utility companies when and where someone is digging so they can mark the necessary utility lines, helping to avoid potentially dangerous interruptions to service.
Contacting Sunshine 811 is free and legally required before starting any digging project in Florida. Upon calling, they work with you to ensure nearby utility lines are located and marked accordingly so you can begin your project safely. In addition to calling 8-1-1, here are five tips to help you dig safely:
- Call Early: Florida residents should call 811 at least two (2) full business days before any digging project. For example, if you plan to begin work over the weekend, reach out by Tuesday or Wednesday to ensure you’re able to hit the ground running come Saturday.
- Respect the Tolerance Zone: Always treat locator flags and paint markers as approximate and leave a “tolerance zone” of 24 inches from the outer edges of a buried line.
- Keep Marks Visible: Ensure locator marks remain visible. Never place dump piles or building materials over marks; call 811 again if the marks fade.
- Manual Digging: Do not use mechanized equipment near the utility lines. The safest thing to do is manually dig to expose the utility line and avoid damaging it.
- Know the Colors: Here’s a quick breakdown (right) of what the different color locator flags mean:
At LANGD, your safety is our top priority, and this commitment is backed up by national industry recognition. The District is proud to have been awarded the American Public Gas Association (APGA) Safety Award for the 14th straight year in 2023 while also being found 100% compliant with state and federal natural gas pipeline safety rules.
Natural gas is extremely resilient as it is delivered through underground pipelines. By following these guidelines and being proactive about natural gas safety, we can ensure the safe and reliable enjoyment of natural gas for everyone.
Together, let’s make this National 811 Day a reminder to always call before you dig! For more information about switching to natural gas, contact our marketing team at (407) 656-2734 x307, email marketing@langd.org, or visit www.langd.org.
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