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For Release: 05/21/2010

Whether Small or BIG, CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

Ishpeming, MI - Many homeowners are once again digging in their yards. The Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) strongly reminds everyone that no matter how big or how small the project, call "MISS DIG" 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. MISS DIG in Michigan can be called at 811 or accessing online, www.missdig.net.

There is a complex network and infrastructure of pipelines, wires and cables running underground in communities. UPPCO has about 600 miles of underground electrical lines in 10 of the 15 counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

MISS DIG System, Inc. is a Michigan wide one-call excavation safety and utility damage prevention company that has received in excess of 17-million staking requests since opening in 1970.

"Most of our customers are aware of the MISS DIG Hotline, but do not think it applies to them unless they are using power digging equipment," according to Keith Moyle, Vice President and General Manager for UPPCO. "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 MISS DIG," added Moyle. "If damages are caused because of not calling in, 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, MISS DIG, in conjunction with UPPCO and other member utilities, offer a number of annual safety meetings and invites anyone associated with commercial digging to attend.

The locate process involves calling the 811 MISS DIG System, 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.

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

The 811 hotline is a nation-wide hotline number.

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