Minnesota
On April 7th, 2017, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed a safe digging proclamation to help focus public attention on this issue. Mike Mendiola with the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety (MNOPS), a professional in the underground damage prevention industry, arranged the signing. The proclamation encourages everyone to contact Gopher State One Call (GSOC) at least 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, before any excavation project to prevent damage to underground utilities, injuries, and the disruption of essential services.
In recognition of NSDM, GSOC partnered with the Minnesota Regional Common Ground Alliance (MNCGA) and the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety (MNOPS) to host 32 damage prevention meetings around the state that emphasized the need to practice safe digging, which starts with a “call or click” to GSOC. In addition, GSOC offered ITIC training webinars every Wednesday in April to help train excavators on the online ticketing tool that is available to them.
Read more to see what our damage prevention partners across the country did to celebrate NSDM in their respective states.
Iowa One Call
- Governor Terry Branstad issued a proclamation at the State Capitol declaring the month of April as "National Safe Digging Month" in Iowa.
Kansas 811
- Kansas 811 took part in a Health & Safety Fair on April 13th, which had over 200 attendees. They handed out various 811 promotional items and visited with those that stopped by their display.
- Governor Sam Brownback issued a proclamation declaring the month of April as "Safe Digging Month" in Kansas.
Lone Star 811
- Lone Star 811 exhibited at the Texas Communications Expo on April 4-6 to spread the damage prevention message and give out 811 promotional items, educational materials, and a door prize.
- The 811 Car and 811 Bike joined Lone Star 811 at Paradigm Pipeline Safety Meetings on April 10th and 11th to help spread the damage prevention message and celebrate NSDM in the southern U.S.
- Lone Star 811 exhibited at numerous Paradigm Pipeline Safety Meetings throughout the month of April to help spread the 811 message in the state of Texas.
Louisiana One Call
- Brent Saltzman, Damage Prevention Manager for Louisiana One Call, interviewed with KEEL News Radio 710am to talkabout NSDM and the importance of calling 811. Check out the interview here: http://bit.ly/2oHaMvC
Nebraska 811
- Governor Pete Ricketts proclaimed April 2017 as Safe Digging Month in a ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol. The Nebraska One Call Board of Directors, along with numerous Nebraska811 associates, were on hand to witness the event. Safe Digging Poster Contest winners were invited to attend the Proclamation ceremony and tour the Capitol. Winning posters from the contest were displayed in the rotunda. Senators Lou Ann Linehan and Steve Erdman took the time to congratulate the winning artists and thank them for helping to promote safe digging.
New Jersey One Call
- On April 17th, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President, Richard S. Mroz and New Jersey utility leaders held a news conference to discuss the “Call 811 Before You Dig” initiative. In addition, NJBPU President Mroz presented a Proclamation issued by Governor Christie recognizing April as New Jersey Underground Damage Prevention Month. The 811 Car and 811 Bike, two vehicles designed and built by Paul Teutul Jr. of Paul Jr. Designs were on display.
New York 811
- The 811 Car and 811 Bike traveled to the New York 811 Excavation Safety Expo on April 6th to help spread the damage prevention message and celebrate NSDM in the northeastern U.S.
- Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a proclamation declaring the month of April as "Safe Digging Month" in New York.
Oregon 811
- Volunteers from Klamath UCC worked at the Klamath Falls Home and Garden Show on April 9th. Attendees of all ages stopped by the Oregon 811 trailer to learn more about the Oregon safe digging law and to receive 811 promotional materials.
- Governor Kate Brown issued a proclamation declaring the month of April as "Dig Safely Month" in Oregon.
Regardless of your occupation in the excavating industry, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) emphasizes that damage prevention is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders. We would like to thank everyone who takes the initial step towards safe excavation by contacting GSOC before they dig. We hope you all had a safe and wonderful NSDM!