For many of us, the beginning of summer marks the beginning of home and yard projects. 

Please remember that, if the work you’re doing requires any digging or excavating, performed either by you or a contractor, state law requires that you notify PA One Call (8-1-1) online at least three days prior to beginning the work. This means any amount of digging.

This is to protect the safety of yourself, your neighbors, and seen and unseen infrastructure. That's because there are likely underground structures – like telephone cables, power lines, cable TV lines and gas, water, sewer, and petroleum pipes – in the vicinity of where you may need to dig. The odds of a contractor, excavator, or you yourself moving something besides dirt is a real risk. 

In other words: What you can't see can hurt you. Not only is there an immediate physical risk from striking a gas pipe. One could also damage a water or sewer pipe, potentially impacting service in the area.

A whole range of homeowner resources, which will help you navigate this law and process, are available on the Pennsylvania 811 website. 

Please be sure to reference that website as you're gearing up for your summer projects. There are plenty of fine details included in the process. For instance, if a homeowner working with a contractor excavator, that entity should contact PA One Call in order be protected under the law.

Protect yourself, your neighbors, and your assets visiting their website.