DRAPER, Utah, April 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- April first marks the start of the annual National Safe Digging Month. Every year Blue Stakes of Utah, in conjunction with Common Ground Alliance, One Calls of America and Stakeholders from around the country, come together to remind homeowners and professionals of the importance of calling 811 before they dig. With the start of spring, it is the perfect time to educate the community on the importance of calling before they dig!
Blue Stakes of Utah would like to kick off the event on the local side with a new infographic titled: Start From the Underground. This infographic shows that when it comes to digging it is always better to start from the "underground up" because you don't know what's below ground.
By following the five step safe digging process, this can help prevent injuries, property damage and utility outages.
Five Steps to Safer Digging
1. Always call 811 before digging.
2. Allow utilities time to locate and mark facilities.
3. Locate and mark facilities accurately.
4. Respect and protect the markings during the project.
5. Carefully dig using hand tools within 2 ft. of the markings.
This month Blue Stakes of Utah will run an online campaign including a social media contest in partnership with One Calls of America (Mark It! Madness Committee). Make sure to visit our Facebook page for further details on the contest, promotions and upcoming events. Please also watch for "Call 811 Before You Dig" billboards throughout the state, reminding you to call before you dig this spring.
To learn more about Blue Stakes of Utah and National Safe Digging Month please visit: www.bluestakes.org and Facebook.
About Blue Stakes of Utah:
Blue Stakes of Utah's mission is to promote public safety, protect underground facilities, and minimize service interruptions by processing locate requests and providing damage prevention education. We accomplish this as the communications link between excavators and facility owners as the statewide one-call center in providing efficient and cost-effective customer service. To submit a locate request, you can call 811 or submit an online request at Blue Stakes.