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Atmos Energy, which serves Tennessee among other states, is stressing that neglecting to call 8-1-1 before any digging operation may lead to injury, repair costs, outages and fines.

The safety and importance of calling 8-1-1 before any kind of digging is not only mandated by Tennessee law, but it is potentially harmful to the surrounding people and environment.

Due to Friday being Aug. 11, Atmos Energy observes this as 811 day, a reminder about the significance of calling before picking up a shovel and practicing safe digging.

This day is an initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration namely due to erosion, uneven surfaces and/or the aftereffects of digging projects such as health complications due to natural gas leakage.

8-1-1 is a toll-free, nationwide number people can call prior to any sort of excavation projects. For example installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree or laying a patio requires a person to call this number to make sure it is safe to proceed with the operation.

From homeowners to contractors, those thinking about digging must call 8-1-1 three days prior to breaking ground.

Upon calling the complimentary service, the individual is connected to a call center notifying local utility companies of the person’s intent to dig.

Professionals who evaluate the appropriateness of the dig will then be dispatched to the project’s location and evaluate the area.

The digging site will be marked by way of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both. This is so that excavators may avoid the sensitive locations.

“The safety of customers, employees and our communities is our highest priority, and that includes following safe digging practices any time of year,” said Jennifer Ries, vice president of Pipeline Safety.

“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.”

For more information about 811 and safe digging practices, visit Tennessee 811 or Atmos Energy for more safety tips.