Safety Information

Call 811 Before You Dig

Whether you are planning to do it yourself or hire a professional, smart digging means calling 811 before each job.

State and federal laws require anyone excavating to contact every potentially affected operator of underground facilities before they start to dig. Remember to allow 72 hours notice, excluding weekends and holidays.

One easy phone call to 811 quickly begins the process of getting underground lines marked. Local One Call Center personnel will then notify affected utility companies who then send crew to mark underground lines for free.

Simple digging jobs can damage utility lines and disrupt vital services to an entire neighborhood, harm those who dig and result in expensive fines and repair costs. Marked lines show those who dig the approximate location of underground lines and help prevent undesired consequences. Knowing where underground utility lines are buried before each digging project begins helps to prevent injury, expense and penalties. The depth of utility lines may vary and multiple utility lines may exist in one area. (Based on information from the CGA and the Tennessee One Call Center).

Who to call 

• The national call before you dig number is 811       
• Tennessee One-Call Center
  811 or 1-800-351-1111

The call center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. The service requires three business days notice for locating lines.

Your call sets this process in motion: 

1. Utilities with underground lines near the site are notified                               
2. Utilities mark underground lines with flags or paint                               
3. Color-coded flags or paint mark the area:
   • Red = Electric 
   • Yellow = Gas, oil, or steam 
   • Orange = Telephone, television, or other communication line 
   • Blue = Water 
   • Green = Sewer 
   • Pink = Temporary survey marking 
   • White - Proposed excavation 
4. All marks are "good" for 15 days and projects should be updated if work extends over the 15-day period.

Don't assume you know what's below. Protect yourself and those around you -- call 811.

Not all underground facility owners are One Call members.

Helpful Hints: 

1. Exercise caution when using power-digging equipment. Dig with hand tools or call a plumber for help.                               
2. If excavating, ditching, trenching, drilling, or blasting activity is to be done on or adjacent to your property, check http://www.call811.com/ or call your state One-Call system 

back to top