08/11/2026
August 11 is National 811 Day—a reminder that one simple phone call can prevent a serious incident.
Whether you're installing a fence, planting a tree, replacing a mailbox, trenching for utilities, or beginning a large construction project, contacting 811 before you dig should always be your first step.
Many underground utilities are only inches below the surface, including:
- Natural gas pipelines
- Electric power lines
- Water and sewer lines
- Telecommunications and fiber optic cables
Damaging one of these utilities can result in serious injuries, fatalities, costly repairs, environmental damage, service interruptions, project delays, and potential legal consequences.
The good news? Preventing these incidents is simple.
When you contact 811, your local one-call center notifies participating utility owners, who will mark the approximate location of underground utility lines before excavation begins. This allows you to plan your work safely and avoid striking buried infrastructure.
One of the most impactful statistics comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): Research shows that contacting 811 before digging gives you a 99% chance of avoiding an excavation-related incident, injury, environmental harm, or even death.
It's also important to remember that every dig requires an 811 request—not just large commercial excavations. Even small residential projects, such as installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting shrubs, or putting in a swing set, have the potential to strike underground utilities. At the end of the day, safety starts long before the first shovel hits the ground. Taking a few minutes to contact 811 protects your employees, your community, critical infrastructure, and your project timeline.
Know what's below. Contact 811 before you dig. Every dig. Every time.
Have you ever experienced an unexpected utility strike or a close call on a job site? Share your experience or best practices in the comments.
~Serena