To raise awareness about the importance of safe digging, Atmos Energy celebrates 811 Day annually on Aug. 11 as a reminder for everyone to help protect underground utility lines by calling 8-1-1 before any excavation project, no matter how large or small. This year, Atmos Energy has instituted a new award – The Gold Cup of Safe Digging – which is presented to Pioneer Electric Cooperative, for a remarkable safety record that epitomizes the gold standard of safe digging practices and procedures.
“The Gold Cup of Safe Digging celebrates excavators that have demonstrated their commitment to protecting underground utility lines, and we thank Pioneer Electric for their ongoing partnership in natural gas safety,” said Aaron Bishop, Atmos Energy public affairs manager. “Pioneer shares our conviction that the safety of our customers, employees, and communities is the highest priority. We are proud to congratulate them on earning this award and look forward to a continued partnership in the months and years to come.”
Effective damage prevention helps to avoid or minimize harm to people, property, and the environment by proactively identifying potential risks and implementing solutions to prevent incidents before they occur. Calling 811 is a critical component of damage prevention efforts that confirms digging projects are conducted safely and without disrupting essential utility services. Striking even a single line can lead to injury, repair costs, inconvenient outages, and fines.
“We appreciate Atmos Energy for this recognition and are honored to receive The Gold Cup of Safe Digging in its inaugural year,” said Tolan Seger, Pioneer Electric, safety and compliance manager. “We share Atmos Energy’s commitment to safety and trust that 811 Day will remind the community that it is imperative to call 811 before any digging project, no matter how large or small.”
Kansas law requires homeowners, excavation companies, and contractors to call 811 three business days before digging. When using this free service, the caller is connected to a local call center that notifies area utility companies of the location where digging will occur. Professional locators then arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint, or both.
For more information about 811 and safe digging practices, visit Kansas811.com or the Atmos Energy website for safety tips – and don’t forget to become a safety ambassador by signing the Call 811 Pledge.