On March 26, the Public Utility Commission announced the ‘PA One Call’ Damage Prevention Committee this month filed nearly 70 disciplinary actions resulting in approximately $75,000 total fines against 33 facility owners, excavators and project owners.
A comprehensive list of summaries and actions from the DPC meeting in Harrisburg is available on the Public Utility Commission’s website.
Fines are payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commission will offset the costs of administering this program through the fines collected.
Digging Safety – PA One Call
Every year, underground lines across the state are struck more than 6,000 times – which means that during the average workday a pipeline or other vital utility system is hit every 20 minutes.
While underground lines are often “out of sight and out of mind,” every hit poses a risk to the contractors and homeowners who are doing the digging; to utility workers and emergency responders who are mobilized when lines are struck; and to bystanders who live, work or travel near the locations of the incidents.
State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located.
Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.
For more information, visit the ’PA One Call’ Damage Prevention Committee webpage.
(Photo: What can happen when a backhoe hits a natural gas gathering line.)
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