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For Release: 05/20/2010

Whether Small or BIG, CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

Many homeowners are once again digging in their yards. Wisconsin Public Service strongly reminds everyone that no matter how big or how small the project, call Digger's Hotline BEFORE your shovel hits the ground.

This includes any digging projects from planting trees or shrubs to building a deck to simply installing a roadside mailbox. Digger's Hotline in Wisconsin can be called at 811 or accessing online, www.diggershotline.com.

There is a complex network and infrastructure of pipelines, wires and cables running underground in communities. WPS has about 7,830 miles of underground natural gas pipelines and nearly 6,000 miles of underground primary and secondary electrical lines in the 19 counties of northeastern and north central Wisconsin and a small portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

A coordinated effort by Wisconsin utilities has resulted in about 700,000 locate requests a year statewide that are received and handled by Digger's Hotline-811.

"Most of our customers are aware of Digger's Hotline, but do not think it applies to them unless they are using power digging equipment," according to Mark Wesolowski, Supervisory Engineer for WPS. "This thinking can result in a huge mistake that can cause serious injuries to you and those around you and disrupt service to an entire neighborhood."

"A very high percentage of accidental dig-ins result from people who did not call Digger's Hotline," added Wesolowski. "If damages are caused because of not calling, the customer, despite being potentially seriously injured, can also be liable if there are costs associated with the repair work."

For the larger excavating contractors, WPS holds about 20 annual safety meetings and invites anyone associated with commercial digging to attend.

The process involves calling the 811 Digger's Hotline, answering a few questions about your location and project and locating specialists will respond and do 'the locate' on your property within three working days. Nationwide, there are more than 200,000 unintentional digger's hits on underground utility facilities each year.

"WPS encourages beautifying yards, neighborhoods and landscapes, and planting of trees," added Wesolowski. "We just want to make sure it is done safely."

WPS customers in Michigan are encouraged to contact the MISS DIG Hotline before any digging is done, at 811, which is a nation-wide hotline number. MISS DIG can also be accessed online at www.missdig.net.

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