April is Safe Digging Month – Ameren Missouri urges customers to call 811 before digging
Marking utilities is a free service, and it's the law
In recognition of Safe Digging Month, Ameren Missouri is reminding customers to contact 811 before beginning any outdoor project that breaks the earth – such as installing fences, mailboxes, signs or even driving small stakes into the ground. This reminder comes as the company has experienced an increase in damage to its underground natural gas and electric facilities. A significant driver of these incidents is customers hammering stakes into the ground without first having their underground utility lines properly located.
It is important to have utilities freshly marked every time you dig,
even if you have had utilities marked for past projects.
"Every six minutes, someone makes contact with an underground utility in the U.S. because they didn't call 811 before that first shovel broke the earth," said Pam Harrison, senior director of Natural Gas Operations for Ameren Missouri. "A proactive call to 811 will not only help customers avoid loss of natural gas service and costly repairs but also prevent serious injury. Calling before you dig is the law, and the 811 service is free."
When callers dial 811, they are automatically connected with a local one-call center that notifies utility companies to mark underground lines. A ticket is created, and within three business days, an assigned locator will determine whether underground facilities are present at the planned work site. Homeowners and contractors may begin digging only after all utilities have responded and the start date and time on the "dig ticket" is valid.
If an underground gas facility is struck while digging, there are two courses of action depending on whether natural gas is leaking.
If the strike results in a rotten egg smell, blowing dirt or bubbling water, then natural gas is likely leaking. Immediately clear the area and call 911, then Ameren Missouri at 800.552.7583 and then 811.
If there is no noticeable release of natural gas, stop digging immediately and call Ameren Missouri. The company must arrive on scene to make repairs to the damaged line before the project can continue.
Safe Digging Month is an annual reminder that simple, proactive steps can prevent serious injuries, costly outages and avoidable damage to essential energy infrastructure. For more information about safe digging practices, please visit Missouri-811.org or Ameren.com/Safety.