August 11 marks National Safe Digging Day, often called 811 Day—a reminder to always call 8-1-1 before any excavation, no matter how small. This annual observance is a critical reminder for all construction, infrastructure, utility and heavy civil professionals tasked with keeping jobsites safe and compliant.
WHAT IS 811 DAY—AND WHY IT MATTERS
Leading the initiative is the Department of Transportation’s PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), which highlights that calling 811 gives you a 99% chance of avoiding utility accidents, outages or injuries. Utility hits remain a top cause of constructions ite downtime, costs and safety risks
Industry associations like the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) provide toolkits each year around Aug. 11 to help stakeholders—including contractors, locators, utilities and policymakers—amplify the message that safe digging save lives.
WHAT CALLING 811 LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE
Here’s a professional's quick walkthrough:
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Call or go online through your state’s 811 or one call center at least 2 to 3 business days before digging begins (most states law require this).
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You’ll receive an 811 ticket number and utility locators will come to mark underground lines using paint or flags color coded by type (e.g. yellow for gas, red for electric, blue for water, green for sewer).
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Respect the marks—and avoid digging mechanically within 18–24 inches of those lines unless you hand dig or soft dig within that tolerance zone.
This simple process helps prevent strikes that cost $30 billion annually in direct utility damages across the U.S.
SAFE DIGGING ALL YEAR
Here’s how you can use the day—not just to post a social media message, but to deepen industrywide safety habits all year:
Internal Training Simple Kick-off: Host a lunch and learn or toolbox talk on Aug. 11, using toolkits to reinforce “Call 811 before every dig.” Reinforce the roles every team member plays—from ticket validation to jobsite vigilance.
Embed 811 in Pre Job Checklists: Ensure calling 811 and verifying line markings get locked into project initiation workflows—especially for directional drills, trenching, utility installation or landscaping prep. Include the ticket number and locator notes in your digital check-ins.
Use Soft Dig Methods Near Marked Lines: When digging near the tolerance zone, opt for potholing, vacuum excavation or hand tools to expose utilities safely.
Track Near Misses or Utility Marks Fading: Keep a log for any flag or paint fading, or incidents where locators didn’t respond. If markings disappear or become unclear, request remarks before digging continues.
Extend the Message to Contractors and Subs: If you manage subcontractors or third parties, ask them to share the safe digging messaging and enforce compliance with calling 811. Consider requiring proof of valid tickets before allowing work to begin.
Why This Matters Every Day
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Safety & Compliance: Damaging a line can be deadly. Following 811 reduces risk and keeps your operation legal.
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Cost & Time Savings: Repairing a ruptured utility can cost thousands and delay schedules.
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Community Trust: Avoiding disruptions or outages builds goodwill with property owners and the public.
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Better ROI: Delaying a call can be more expensive than investing a few minutes in a ticket
Celebrate Aug. 11—811 Day—as a kickoff, not just a calendar date. Treat it as a reminder to standardize safe digging protocols, reinforce communication and benchmark best practices. If your crew calls 811 before every dig, every time, you’ll reduce risk, satisfy regulatory requirements and model professionalism across the industry.
Ready to learn more? Explore myths and tips for safe digging and best practices for safe digging on every jobsite, every time to protect your crew, avoid costly delays, and stay compliant—on every dig, every time.
Photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK/J.J. GOUIN
