Dig Safely New York

Suppose you are planning to dig on your property for any reason. In that case, state law requires you to place a location request with Dig Safely New York at least two full working days. Still, before beginning your project, no more than ten working days to ensure all underground utility lines are appropriately marked by their owners. Working days are defined as weekdays (Monday through Friday), excluding holidays. You can place a location request by calling 811or using the online location request programs: i-notice and Single Address Ticket.

Because the depth and placement of utility lines can vary for many reasons, including erosion, previous digging projects, and uneven surfaces, making assumptions about where the utility lines are under your property can be extremely dangerous. Striking a single line can result in injury, significant repair costs, fines, and inconvenient outages for you and your neighbors.

If you do not plan to perform the excavation yourself, you do not need to contact Dig Safely New York; however, you should verify your contractor has contacted Dig Safely New York for your safety.

Responsibilities

Hired contractors or excavators are responsible for making the call because, as the home/property owner, you may:

• Become involved in the liability if an accident occurs
• Not knowing the complete schedule of the work dates, is vital because utilities often supervise the excavation
• Not know the full extent of the work
• Not know the type of equipment being used or any unique information regarding the site that may be pertinent.
• Utility owners may want to meet and consult with the excavator before the work commences.