SUMMER 2014
3
CALL
Before You
DIG
Cut communications lines can cost more than money
M
ost people are aware of the “call
before you dig” rule. Yet phone,
internet, and TV lines still get
damaged during construction and other
types of projects on business property.
When this happens, long-distance lines or
lines that go to cell towers can get cut, so
neighboring businesses and individuals
can’t use their phones.
A cut line is more than just an inconven-
ience; it could be a matter of safety. “In
the worst-case scenario,” says Tim Jarski,
Construction Manager at RTC, “phone
customers can lose 911 services. Or an
entire town could be without television,
so emergency weather warnings wouldn’t
be available.” Companies can also lose
business if they’re not able to operate their
phones or the internet.
When a line does get cut, up to 16 hours
may be required before it can be fixed.
In addition to the time needed, the cost
can be substantial. Jarski notes, “The
cost varies based on the size of the cable,
depending on how many fibers are in it.
The responsible party could be charged
between $2,000 and $25,000.”
The person doing the digging is responsible
for making the call. Jarski comments, “If
a company hires a contractor to dig some-
thing up, it’s the contractor’s responsibility
to make the call. If a line is cut and they
haven’t called, they’re responsible for the cost.”
Jarski encourages businesses and contractors
to “call before you dig.” He says, “There’s no
charge, and the number for each community
is easy to find in the local phone book or
online, so there’s no reason not to call. Plus,
it’s the law!”
DO YOU KNOW
THE COLOR CODE OF
LOCATE CREWS?
After an 811 call is made, locate crews
from member utility companies are
told where you’re planning to dig
and then have 48 hours to mark the
location of underground utility
lines. The markings are good for 21
days. These markings may be done
with paint or flags and will use this
universal color code:
•
Red
– Electric
•
Orange
– Communications,
Telephone/CATV
•
Blue
– PotableWater
•
Green
– Sewer/Drainage
•
Yellow
– Gas/Petroleum Pipe Line
•
Purple
– ReclaimedWaters
•
White
– Premark site of intended
excavation
Check the digging area carefully
before proceeding with your project.
Make sure to dig around the marks
and not on them. Some utility lines
may be buried at a shallow depth,
and an unintended shovel thrust
can bring you right back to square
one, facing potentially dangerous
and/or costly consequences. It’s the
responsibility of the person doing the
digging to remove the flags once
the project is over.
In North Dakota, call 811 from your landline phone or 1.800.795.0555
or visit
. In Montana, call 811 from your landline
phone or 1.800.551.8344 or visit
The responsible party could
be charged between $2,000
and $25,000.”
—TIM JARSKI,
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER, RTC
