Columbia Gas: Can you dig it?
With construction season coming up, Columbia Gas of Ohio wants to remind those who dig that there is a new enforcement process for the requirement to call 811 before digging.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With construction season coming up, Columbia Gas of Ohio wants to remind those who dig that there is a tougher law to prevent accidents caused by digging in the wrong areas.
In 2015 alone, unsafe digging resulted in more than 1,200 safety incidents in the Columbia Gas service area. These incidents occurred because those digging either did not call 811 beforehand or practiced unsafe digging methods, according to the news release.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio says callers should tell the operator where they are planning to dig and what type of work they plan on doing.
Columbia Gas says that damage to underground lines by unsafe digging is the number one safety threat to utility systems, and it puts the public in danger.
While the requirement to call 811 at least two days before digging has been in place for years, there has been no enforcement process until now, according to a news release from Columbia Gas of Ohio.
Failing to call can mean a fine of up to $2,500 for first time offenders, additional training and education, or both.
Enforcement of Ohio's Damage Prevention Laws went into effect Jan. 1 as a result of Senate Bill 378 passing.
Columbia Gas of Ohio reminds everyone who digs that it is required to call 811 to have utility lines located and marked. By law, a call should be placed at least two business days prior to digging. There is no cost to call 811 and have utility lines marked.
"Columbia Gas of Ohio's number one priority is keeping customers, employees and communities safe," said Dan Creekmur, president of Columbia Gas of Ohio. "In every community in the state, we work to be sure everyone knows how important it is to call 811 before you dig."
For more information on enforcement of underground damage prevention laws, please visit The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at puco.ohio.gov.