WALTHAM, MA - August 11 marks National 811 Safe Digging Day. To celebrate, National Grid wants to remind customers and contractors nationwide to call 811 before starting any digging or excavation project (no matter how big or small) to have underground utility lines properly marked. Dig Safe is a free service, funded solely by its utility members to promote public safety and avoid costly underground utility damage.

Every hour, more than six buried utilities are damaged nationally because someone neglected to call 811 prior to digging. Striking a single line can result in personal injury, repair costs, state fines, and inconvenient outages. National Grid reports these particular “dig-ins” are the leading cause of natural gas leaks each year. It’s important to know what’s below, so call 811 before you dig!

“Safe digging is absolutely critical to ensure the safety of our employees, public and local communities that we proudly serve each day. At National Grid, we remain focused and diligent in our commitment to deliver clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas services to our customers,” said Mark Prewitt, Vice President of Gas Compliance & Assurance at National Grid. “Calling 811 before you dig will help to protect you and your family, as well as your neighbors and the local community.”

Calling 811 before you dig is the law. Whether you are installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree, or laying a patio, all are examples of digging projects that require a call to 811 before starting. Prior to calling 811, you should always pre-mark the requested digging area so that locators know exactly where to inspect. When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to a local one-call center, which notifies utility companies of their intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint, or both. The services are free, fast, and easy to use.

Calling 811 before you dig is the law. Failure to call 811 may be punishable by fines, which in some states can be as high as $1,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for subsequent offenses. Please be aware that requests to Dig Safe must be placed at least 72 hours in advance, excluding weekends and legal holidays. Digging is never permitted until lines have been marked by Dig Safe. By calling 811 you will help to keep everyone safe by preventing any potential deadly contact with underground electricity and gas lines nationwide. 

If You Suspect a Natural Gas Leak, Call National Grid

Because “dig-ins” are a leading cause of natural gas leaks, National Grid reminds customers to take the following safety actions anytime a gas leak is suspected:

• Evacuate your home and move to a safe area.
• Do NOT smoke (e-cigarettes and vape pens included), light matches, or do anything to create a flame.
• Do NOT touch any light switches or electrical equipment and do NOT pull any plugs from outlets. These items may produce a spark that might ignite the gas and cause an explosion.
• If you have a gas range or oven, make sure the controls are turned OFF. Extinguish any easily accessible open flames such as lit candles, but never try to put out a fire you suspect may be caused by escaping gas. Leave immediately.
• Do NOT assume someone else will report the condition.
• Call 911 and National Grid’s gas emergency number from a safe location:

• Massachusetts: 1-800-233-5325
• Rhode Island: 1-800-640-1595

This is a dedicated Gas Emergency phone number. National Grid has crews on call 24 hours/7 days a week who will respond immediately.

About National Grid

About National Grid: National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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