It's an unnecessary risk when you consider the odds for avoiding dig-in dangers improve by 99% if lines are properly marked in advance.
To ensure safety is top of mind as personal and professional projects requiring digging kick into high gear during the warmer seasons,
During National Safe Digging Month this April, the utilities offer these 7 important tips to follow the law and avoid disrupting important utility services.
Contact
Submit a locate request: Information about your project is passed on to each member company that provides natural gas, electric, telephone, cable, sewer and water service in the requested area. Each company or their contract locator will then either mark its underground lines or notify the individual if there are no underground lines in the area where they are excavating.
Wait the required amount of time: After submitting a locate request, you must allow at least two full business days before digging to give utilities time to visit your property and mark their lines. Utilities will mark their lines within two full business days after receiving the request.
Know the meaning of each color: Whether lines are marked using yard flags or paint, each distinct color serves a purpose and represents a type of utility service.
Dig with care around the marks: Leave at least 24 inches on all sides of the underground utility line and equipment markings.
Respect the law:
Consider full-grown dimensions: When planting trees and shrubs, pay close attention to their full-grown height and root-depth estimations. While it may not look intrusive now, root growth can damage foundations and damage underground utility lines if planted too closely. And, trees and tree debris coming in contact with overhead power lines are a major cause for power outages. To make sure you plant the right tree for your space, use LG&E and KU's Right Tree,
LG&E is a
Through their work with contractors and homeowners, and investigating dig-in damages in the field, LG&E and KU personnel and damage prevention coordinators actively educate consumers about the importance of using 811 because it protects public safety and prevents costly damages.
Contact:
Tel: 502-627-4999
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