Accidentally hitting utility lines is extremely dangerous
and may result in serious injury or death. Such accidents also endanger others
and can disrupt utility services for customers. Be safe -- protect yourself
and those around you by avoiding underground utility lines that can injure or
kill.
Underground power lines, communication cables, gas lines,
water lines or other utilities may lie at various depths below the surface of
your property or areas of planned excavation. It is important to be safe before
excavating by calling the appropriate state notification center and allowing
time for the utility companies in that area to mark the location of their underground
facilities.
It also is important to respect the marks indicating the presence
of underground utilities. Excavation should be carefully performed only after
confirming that all utilities have marked the location of their facilities.
Remember that the locating of underground utility lines is not an exact science
and location marks have varying bands of required accuracy, depending on a particular
state's requirements. These can range from 18 to 24 inches from the actual facility.
Each state has its own notification center and legal requirements
regarding the location of underground facilities. Select the appropriate state
below to learn more:
North Carolina state law requires anyone performing excavation
to first call the statewide notification center's number before digging. Callers
must then wait 48 hours while utilities locate and mark their underground facilities.
Before excavating, dial North Carolina "One
Call" at 1-800-632-4949.
Notification should be no less than two -- but no more than
10 -- working days before commencing excavation. The markings are valid for
15 working days from the date of the call to the notification center. Providing
the correct spelling of the street name, pavement type, nearest cross-street
and the area to be marked will assist the locators in marking the location of
underground facilities within the required 48-hour time period.
If you prefer to submit tickets online, contact the notification
center at 1-800-632-4949 or visit One
Call online for details. The Web site also features legal information, newsletters,
important links, membership information, mapping and more.
Call, toll-free, 1-800-362-2764
at least two working days before digging. The Ohio
Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) will alert Dominion East Ohio and other
member utilities of your plans to dig, then ask the utilities to mark any underground
pipes or cables at your location.
They'll also tell you about any other
companies that you must notify before you begin digging. This is a free service.
Call the PA
One-Call Center, toll-free, at 1-800-242-1776 at least three working
days before digging. PA One Call will alert Dominion Peoples and other member
utilities of your plans to dig, then ask them to identify any underground pipes
or cables at your location.
They'll also tell you about any other companies that you must
notify before you begin digging. This is a free service.
In Virginia, the law requires that anyone performing excavation
first call "Miss Utility." Miss
Utility is a free service open 24 hours, seven days a week. View
or print a PDF filefeaturing this information.
Miss Utility - 1-800-552-7001
Check Ticket Status - 1-800-552-3120
Utilities with facilities in the area of proposed excavation
will respond within 48 hours, beginning at 7 a.m., the next business day. Excavation
can commence anytime after the caller has verified that all utilities have marked
or responded to the notification center that their facilities are clear of the
intended areas of excavation.
Excavate tickets obtained from the Miss Utility notification
center should be no larger than an area that can be excavated within 15 working
days from 7 a.m. on the next working day following notice to the notification
center or no greater than one mile. Excavate tickets can only be updated one
time, meaning the life of a ticket (if updated) can be up to 30 days.
Excavators are encouraged to contact the Miss Utility notification
center at 1-800-552-7001 or 540-985-9355, ext. 2006, to obtain information on
how to begin submitting tickets via Web-ticket methods.
Excavator manuals, brochures, scheduled on-site training on
the law, stickers and other educational materials are available through the
State Corporation Commission's Division
of Utility and Railroad Safety. Additional legal and notification information
also is available from Miss
Utility of Virginia.
Call 48 hours before you dig. Miss
Utility West Virginia can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week
by calling toll-free 1-800-245-4848. Whenever possible, it is best to
call between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Routine 48-hour notifications
can be made via fax or e-mail.
Notification of proposed excavation, demolition or any other
earth disturbing activities are required to be placed to MUWV not less than
48 business hours before any such work is to begin. A notification must not
be made more than 10 business working days in advance of the beginning of any
such work due to the possible deterioration of the locate markings. The time
requirements are exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.
