Nearly 46 percent of Americans planning digging projects in the next year say they won’t contact 811 before breaking ground, raising alarms over safety and potential disruptions to utilities, according to a new national survey released by Pennsylvania One Call System.
The survey, timed with National Safe Digging Month in April, found that more than two-thirds of Americans intend to take on a project involving outdoor excavation. But among them, an estimated 27.2 million people will skip the critical step of notifying 811, a move that experts say increases the risk of serious injury, utility outages and costly repairs.
Risks to workers, homeowners and essential services
“When you’re looking at grass, concrete or asphalt, you don’t know what’s underneath,” said Bill Kiger, president and CEO of Pennsylvania 811. “Underground lines are often out of sight, out of mind, which can pose a risk to excavators and homeowners. It’s very important that you call 811.”
Pennsylvania law has required excavators using powered equipment to notify 811 before digging since 1975. Striking gas, electric, water, sewer or communications lines can lead to injuries and interrupt critical services for homes and businesses, Kiger said.
How the 811 system works
The 811 system, operated in Pennsylvania by Pennsylvania One Call System, acts as a centralized communication hub. When notified, it transmits excavation details to the relevant underground facility owners in the affected municipality. Those owners are then responsible for marking the approximate location of their underground lines.
“Facility owners mark lines within eighteen inches of the outside edge,” Kiger said. “Inside that tolerance zone, excavators must use careful techniques—like hand-digging or vacuum excavation—to avoid damage. If an excavator damages a line with something as simple as a spoon, they’re not using prudent techniques.”
Call three days before digging
Pennsylvania 811 recommends contacting 811 at least three business days before any digging project, regardless of its size. The service is free and available 24/7 throughout the state.
Pennsylvania One Call System was established in 1972 and has grown to nearly 3,800 members, including utility companies and facility owners across all 67 counties. In 2024, it processed over one million excavation notices and issued more than 6.4 million alerts to its members.
