KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — For many Michiganders, the onset of spring often signals the start of home improvement projects.
Consumers Energy is reminding people that, whether you’re planting shrubs, installing a new mailbox post or an inground pool, keep yourself and your community safe by calling 8-1-1 before any project that requires digging.
Michigan law requires contacting MISS DIG by calling 8-1-1 or visiting www.missdig.org/ at least three working days in advance of using digging equipment, including shovels, picks and other hand tools.
Practicing safe digging not only prevents damage and service interruptions to underground utilities like natural gas, electric, cable and water, it also helps keep those doing the work safe.
In 2021, the total number of dig-in damages to Consumers Energy’s natural gas system was 1,912. Twenty-six percent of those damages were attributed to not contacting MISS DIG 811 before digging.
The counties with the most damages in 2021 were:
- Oakland – 617
- Macomb – 224
- Genesee – 134
- Kalamazoo – 141
- Livingston – 97
4 tips for safe digging:
- Contact MISS DIG 811 at least three business days before digging to have underground utilities marked. If you’ve hired a contractor, it is the responsibility of the contractor/excavator to contact MISS DIG 811 for a locate request according to the law.
- Wait to dig until you are sure all lines are marked with flags and/or paint or cleared by the utility. Confirm this by calling MISS DIG at 8-1-1 or visiting http://oca.missdig811.org/
- Respect the marks. If the project is within four feet of the marks, dig carefully with hand tools or modify your plans to be further from the marks. If using power equipment within four feet of the marks, you must expose the lines using a wooden handled hand tool or by using hydro excavation. Once the lines have been exposed and the exact location can be confirmed you may begin to carefully excavate using power equipment. Do NOT remove the flags until the work is complete.
- Dig with care and always use caution when digging. When using a shovel, remember to bend your knees and keep the shovel as close to you as possible to have more control over it.
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