CHILDRESS — To protect underground utility lines, Atmos Energy observes 811 Day annually on Aug. 11 as a reminder for everyone to practice safe digging. 811 Day is an initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to make sure the practice of safe digging is echoed in communities by calling 8-1-1, a nationwide toll-free number, before any excavation project.
Texas law requires homeowners, excavation companies and contractors to call 811 two business days before digging. Upon calling the free service, the individual is connected to a local call center that notifies area utility companies of the caller’s intent to dig. Professional locators then arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.
“The safety of customers, employees and our communities is our highest priority, and that includes following safe digging practices any time of year,” said Pipeline Safety Vice President Jennifer Ries. “If you hire a contractor to do the work for you, remind the contractor it is their responsibility to notify 811 a few days before starting to dig.”
