April is Safe Digging Month, reminding Michiganders to call MISS DIG 811 for any projects that involve digging

News media contact: Matt Helms 517-284-8300  

Customer Assistance: 800-292-9555  

Spring’s warmer temperatures may have Michiganders thinking about backyard projects or other home improvements that involve digging. But the Michigan Public Service Commission reminds residents that any work that involves putting a shovel in the ground requires a call to MISS DIG 811 or click www.MISSDIG811.org. This ensures buried utilities can be marked in advance to prevent costly damage and potentially deadly consequences.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation making April Safe Digging Month in Michigan. Before you start any improvement projects that involve digging, help keep your family and neighbors safe by contacting MISS DIG 811, the state’s underground utility notification system, at least 72 hours in advance. All you have to do is dial 811 or click www.MISSDIG811.org to dig.

“Call or click before you dig, whether you’re a homeowner putting in a new deck, planting a tree or installing a fence or mailbox, or you’re a construction crew with a much bigger project,” MPSC Chair Dan Scripps said. “It’s a simple notification, and it alerts companies with buried utility lines to send out crews so that those underground lines can be clearly marked, no matter the size of your excavation project.” 

Calling or clicking MISS DIG 811 is free and ensures buried gas, electric, water and sewer, phone and other underground utilities are clearly marked before digging projects begin.

Hitting underground gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines while digging can have a major impact on communities and businesses and can result in inconvenient service disruptions, costly fines and repairs, serious injury or death.

Call 811 at least three days before digging or fill out a request online at www.MISSDIG811.org. Utility locators will be sent to job sites to mark the location of utilities with spray paint or flags. Anyone planning to dig is asked not to do so until utilities are marked, and to carefully dig by hand in the designated utility area.

“Contacting MISS DIG 811 before you dig is free and easy, and it’s the law,” said Nick Bonstell, President and CEO of MISS DIG 811. “Even if you think the project is too shallow to merit a call to 811, think again. Underground utility damages can have a direct impact on public safety. No matter how shallow the digging may be, make the call to 811. This will help protect you and your community.”

More information is available in the MPSC’s tip sheet on MISS DIG 811 and safe digging.

For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs. Follow the MPSC on Facebook, X/Twitter or LinkedIn.

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