Toolbox Talk: Call 811 Before You Dig

Why it matters

Hitting an underground gas, electric or communication line can cause explosions, shock, injuries and outages. A free call prevents most strikes.

Talking points

• Call or click first: contact 811 before any digging, even small jobs, and wait the required time for lines to be marked.
• Know the colors: red marks electric, yellow gas and oil, orange communications, blue water, green sewer and drain, pink survey marks, white the dig area.
• Private lines: 811 doesn't mark utilities on private property that the owner maintains. Hire a private locator if needed.
• Dig carefully near marks: use hand tools or vacuum excavation in the tolerance zone next to a mark, as local rules say.
• Protect the marks: keep the markings visible and call again if they are removed or fade. Keep your ticket number on site.
• If you hit a line: stop, move people away, call 911 for gas or electric lines and call the utility. Don't try to fix it.

Ask the crew

1. Has 811 been called for today's work, and where is the ticket?
2. What do the marks tell us about lines near our dig?
3. What will we do if we expose or hit a line?

Before we start work today: Confirm the 811 ticket is valid and all utilities have responded before the first shovel goes in.

Who attended

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Source: Call 811: Know what's below. General safety information only, not legal advice; follow your employer’s program, the manufacturer’s instructions and current regulations. Keep signed sheets with your safety records. FirstDayTraining.com · Todd Allyn Media Inc.