AUG. 11 (8/11) SERVES AS A REMINDER FOR OKLAHOMA RESIDENTS TO CONTACT 811 BEFORE DIGGING
Explorer Pipeline encourages people to make a free request at least 72 hours before digging to avoid damaging buried utilities
Tulsa, Okla. (August 8, 2024) – Aug. 11 is here, and Explorer Pipeline hopes that the 8/11 date on the calendar will serve as a natural reminder for residents to call 811 before any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811.
Calling 811 is a free service that is also required by Oklahoma Law. Homeowners and contractors are connected to the appropriate 811 call center, which notifies utility companies of their intent to dig. Professional locators will schedule a time to visit the digging site and mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.
Hitting a buried line while digging can cause injury, repair costs, power outages and fines. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811 by phone or online. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree, and laying a patio are just some examples of digging projects that need a call to 811 before starting.
“It is a very common occurrence to accidently hit utility lines during outdoor projects.” says Mark Hurley, President & CEO of Explorer Pipeline Company. “August 11th is National Safe Digging Day, and it is a great reminder to call 811 before you dig. The service is free and can keep your family and community safe.”
The depth of utility lines can vary for several reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches or digging in a location that has previously been marked, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists.
Visit https://www.expl.com/Safety/Call-Before-You-Dig or www.call811.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
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Explorer Pipeline is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has over 240 employees. It transports refined petroleum products through an 1872-mile pipeline system extending from Port Arthur, Texas to the upper Midwest and serves major markets, including Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, St. Louis, and Chicago. The southern system currently has a capacity of 660,000 barrels per day and the northern system currently has a capacity of 450,000 barrels per day.
