Contractors throughout North Carolina dig into the soil on a daily basis. It is vital to educate all those that propose to dig into the ground about the dangers beneath the soil.
CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG
During your call, you will be asked a series of questions designed to help pinpoint the location of your project. At the conclusion of your call, you will be given a ticket number and a verbal list of utility companies that are notified by North Carolina 811. This does not mean each member listed owns buried utilities on your property or that every utility company is a member with North Carolina 811. You will want to write down the names of the utility companies for easy reference.
WAIT THE REQUIRED TIME
North Carolina law requires a two working days notice be given to the utility owners before your digging begins. Once all underground facilities have been marked , you may begin your excavation activities.
RESPECT THE MARKS
Before digging, be sure that all utilities have responded to your locate request. The North Carolina 811 representative will advise you during your call of the member utility owners we notify for you. The underground facilities located on your property will be identified by color coded paint, stakes or flags. It is the responsibility of the caller to contact a utility locating company to have any private lines located. Once the underground facilities have been located it is very important that the stakes, flags or paint not be disturbed. The color code chart below serves as a guide to identify the marked underground facility.
WHAT DO I DO IF I DAMAGE AN UNDERGROUND FACILITY?
The underground facility can be damaged by any piece of equipment used for digging. Something as simple as a shovel can gouge, scrape, dent, or crease the casing that surrounds a buried utility line. While this type of damage usually does not cause immediate harm, it may lead to a future break or leak as the protective coating erodes. If this should happen to you, do not cover up the line with dirt. Stop digging! Then, contact the utility owner so they can repair the damage. A quick response could prevent future service interruptions and personal injury. If the damage creates a situation that threatens life or property, call 911 immediately.
NORTH CAROLINA 811
North Carolina 811 is a non-profit organization that strives to educate everyone regarding Underground Utilities. This page is designed with the contractor in mind and to address their questions about North Carolina 811. We are located at 2300 W. Meadowview Road, Suite 227 in Greensboro, NC. To call in a locate simply dial 811 anytime and anywhere within North Carolina. To contact our business office dial 336-855-5760 between 8am and 5pm. Below we have also included our promotional materials to better educate you. Please feel free to print out all the material linked below or complete the Promotional Material Order Form to request these items be sent to your office.
