Safe digging is everyone’s responsibility!

Safe digging starts when you call the Utilities Protection Center of Georgia.  Ideally, we ask that you give us about a week before you plan to dig. In that time, we will notify the member utilities, who will send a locater to mark your utility lines with flags and/or paint markings.

The number to call is 1-800-282-7411 statewide.  It is important that you provide the following information when you notify us:

—  - Name, area code, phone number, address, city, county and nearest cross streets.

—  -Type of work to be done and how long it will take.

—  -Date and start time digging is scheduled to begin.

—  -If any work will be done within 10 ft. of overhead high voltage power lines.

—  -Contractor/contact person and phone number.

—  -Where on the property you want marking done.

Specific directions to your property – landmarks, etc.

The Process:

During your call, the UPC of Georgia will give you a “ticket” number. This ticket is the official notification of your request and is immediately sent to all the utility members in your area. Once they have been notified, they have 48 hours from the next business day (provided you call before 4:30 pm) to get a locator to mark your lines.

Anytime during this process, you can actually track the progress of utility members and locaters who are responding to your “ticket.” To do this, click on the What is Positive Response? section on this page and follow the instructions.

To make sure all lines are marked, a final check on positive response should be done at noon on the legal date you were given. If you have any problems, conflicts or disputes with responses, please call us again to re-notify the utility members.

Once Fully Located:

Once the area to dig has been marked and/or cleared, proceed with caution while digging. Recommended distance is two feet to either side from the markings. The colored paint and/or flags indicate the different utilities. If when digging you accidentally damage, dislocate, or disturb any utility, call UPC to report the damage. Have your ticket number handy and be ready to get a damage ticket number and phone number to call that utility that was damaged. If the damage is serious enough to create an emergency, immediately take precautions to safeguard your health and property.

Be Watchful:

If you notice someone digging on your property, be sure they have contacted UPC for a dig ticket and the utilities within that area are marked before any digging starts. This is for your own safety.

What's Covered?

The dig ticket (locate request) in which you call in is intended to prevent any harm to your life and property. Among the worktypes that we suggest you call in a ticket for include: planting, repairing or replacing u/g utilities (specifying which utility) , fences, mailbox, retaining walls, aerating, sentricon, grading, tilling, using an auger, any mechanized/motorized piece of machinery, etc.

Consequences:

By not calling, here's what you could get into: Personal injury (possible loss of life), damage to environment, costly property damage, damage to important utilities that would disable others to make emergency calls or lose the availability of a utility, costly delays, expensive repairs, legal problems, and civil penalties.

For more information please visit www.gaupc.com

Copyright ©2008 Utilities Protection Center of Georgia