Grants Fund One-Call Centers' Outreach
Pipeline operators have reported excavation damage as the cause of 743 incidents, resulting in 36 deaths, 132 injuries requiring in-patient hospitalization, and more than $250 million in property damage, during the past decade.
The Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced it is providing $1,069,000 in grants this month to One-Call centers in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 25 states to help them raise awareness of the need to "Call 811 before you dig" in order to prevent damage to underground infrastructure. Homeowners as well as contractors should follow this practice to prevent digging accidents, according to the DOT agency.
DOT promotes April each year as National Safe Digging Month. A release from the agency says pipeline operators have reported excavation damage as the cause of 743 incidents, resulting in 36 deaths, 132 injuries requiring in-patient hospitalization, and more than $250 million in property damage, during the past decade.
Established in 2007, 8-1-1 is the national hotline that redirects callers to their respective state One-Call centers. Usually within 48 hours, the companies have marked the lines and digging can begin, according to the agency.