Each day, excavation activities are being performed all over California. Most of these activities are done safely and responsibly because construction companies are aware of the vast underground network of pipes and cables that provide Californians' with natural gas, electricity, water, sewage, telecommunications, crude oil, and other vital products and services. They also know that damage to this network could jeopardize public safety, the environment, and continued service reliability through out the state. Advanced planning, the one-call system, and digging safely can prevent unfortunate consequences.
A critical element in preventing damage to the underground network is the one-call system. In California, it's the law (Government Code Section 4216) that "Except in an emergency, every person planning to conduct any excavation must contact the appropriate regional notification center, at lest two working days, but not more than 14 calendar days, prior to commencing that excavation...." There are two call notification centers in California. In Central and Northern California, Underground Service Alert North (USA) provides a free Call before You Dig service to all excavators (contractors, homeowners, and others). Their number is (800) 227-2600. For Southern California, the Underground Service Alert South can be called at the same number or at (800) 442-4133.
One call to USA will trigger notification of USA members who may have underground facilities at the proposed work site and provide the excavator with an "inquiry identification number" (Dig Alert ticket). A permit for digging will not be valid without the ticket number. USA service members will then mark or stake the horizontal path of their underground facilities (as mandated by law), provide information about and give clearance to dig. This simple, safe service protects the excavator from personal injury and underground facilities from being damaged. Failure to call can result in fines in the thousands of dollars and repair costs for damaged underground facilities. An emergency situation does not relieve the excavator of damage-ensuing financial responsibilities.
Digging without a Dig Alert ticket is dangerous, not to mention illegal. A dig could damage a basic telephone cable and disrupt service to a home or cut a fiber optic cable carrying millions of calls and expose the excavator to costly repairs. There's also the possibility of an explosion from hitting a gas line or an electrocution from an electrical line. Not only would it be expensive to replace the ruined equipment, but it could put many lives at risk. Why risk it? Call before you dig.
Source Issue Two, 2005 Safety News State Compensation Insurance Fund