GRIMES, IOWA – April 5, 2023 – With warmer temps arriving this month, homeowners and contractors alike may be anxious to break ground on their outdoor projects. Regardless of the scope of the project, it’s important to prioritize safety when it comes to projects that require digging.

Across the country, April is recognized as National Safe Digging Month (NSDM) but promoting the importance of safe digging is a year-round effort. As you consider your upcoming projects, Black Hills Energy is offering the following tips to follow before you dig in.  

• Call or Click Before You Dig. Whether you’re a homeowner planting a shrub or a contractor using a backhoe, always “Call Before You Dig” at least 48 hours in advance, not including weekends and holidays, of plans to excavate. Call 811 or submit an online request at iowaonecall.com. It’s free, it’s safe and it’s the law. After you call, utility specialists will mark the approximate location of buried utility lines at your site with color-coded paint or flags.
• Mark your planned excavation site. Spray-paint a white line or place white flags around your planned excavation site before you contact 811. “White-lining” helps the line locators understand your plans and ensures the appropriate locations are marked. 
• Respect the marks. Always carefully hand dig with a shovel near any utility facilities rather than use heavy equipment. Use extreme care around all utility lines. Just a nick can create a weak spot that could develop into a gas leak, cause an electrical or internet outage or result in fines, serious injury or worse.
• Don’t rely on old line locate marks. If you don’t dig within 20 business days of having the lines marked, contact 811 again. At no charge, line locators will return to re-mark the lines. Underground conditions can change, so never rely on outdated information.
• Check Iowa One Call status. Always check yard markings and Iowa One Call response ticket status prior to beginning excavation.

“Whether installing a new mailbox or building a new house, we urge everyone to first call or click 811,” said Shirley Welte, vice president of Iowa operations. “Every successful outdoor project starts with 811. Safe digging practices are critical to avoiding incidents.”

Failure to comply with “Call Before You Dig” laws can result in civil penalties or the cost of expensive repairs to utilities and private property. More importantly, hitting an underground utility line can cause widespread service outages, injury or death.

If a natural gas line is damaged accidentally, or you smell the distinctive rotten-egg odor associated with natural gas, immediately leave the area and first call 911 and then Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554. Do not operate any machinery or equipment that might cause a spark or create an open flame.

Visit blackhillsenergy.com/811 to learn more about 811 and safe digging practices. You can also follow Black Hills Energy on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for safe digging resources.