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6
SUMMER 2015
CALL
Before You
DIG
Cut communications lines can cost more than money
T
hough most people are aware
of the “call before you dig” rule,
phone and internet lines do 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.
Fortunately, phone and internet line
systems are designed so that only a limited
service area can be affected by any one
cut. However, a cut line is more than just
an inconvenience; 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 respon-
sible for making the call. Jarski comments,
“If a company hires a contractor to dig
something up, it’s the contractor’s respon-
sibility to make the call. If a line is cut and
they haven’t called, they’re responsible for
the cost.”
Jarski encourages businesses and contrac-
tors to remember to call 811 or the local
“call before you dig” phone number. 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
frommember utility companies are
toldwhere you’re planning to dig and
typically arrive within a fewdays to
mark the location of underground
utility lines. Thesemarkings may be
done with paint or flags andwill 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 poten-
tially dangerous and/or costly
consequences.