Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is celebrating National 811 Safe Digging Day by launching an “Always Call 811” campaign and announcing that accidental digging damage in its service territory reached a 10-year low in 2023.

National 811 Safe Digging Day, also known as 811 Day, falls every year on Aug. 11 and is designed to remind everyone to always call 811 at least two business days before beginning construction or at-home digging projects to avoid injuries, fines, or loss of service. Utility lines can be just below the surface — under streets, sidewalks, and private property – and calling 811 to connect with utility safety representatives is the best way to avoid injuries, fines or loss of utility service.

Thanks to increased public awareness and participation, incidents of accidental damage from digging into SoCalGas’ natural gas pipelines (“dig-ins’) throughout the SoCalGas service territory have decreased 20% since 2014. The decrease is in part due to the number of calls to 811 growing by 35% since 2014 to more than 1 million in 2023.

“Southern Californians have seen a significant reduction in accidental digging damage incidents – this is a remarkable improvement,” said Gina Orozco, vice president of gas engineering and system integrity. “We want to keep this momentum going. It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing a large demolition project requiring a permit or planting a tree on your property, ‘Always Call 811.’ It’s the best way to keep everyone safe, avoid fines and outages and to prevent costly, avoidable damage.”

This year’s “Always Call 811” campaign looks to build on 811 education and success and will run on several platforms, including digital, social media, radio and television to encourage customers and contractors alike to call 811 before digging. SoCalGas has also participated in events raising awareness about 811 including:

• A volunteer event with the LA Kings and Friends of the LA River (FOLAR) on Aug. 5 to restore native habitats in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve. 
• A tree planting in Anaheim on Aug. 10 with the Los Angeles Angels and the Orange County Conservation Corps.
• An 811 Day media event with demonstrations on 811 and safe digging on Aug. 11 with Moon Valley Nurseries in North Hollywood. 

SoCalGas has the following recommendations to stay safe while digging and to help prevent dig-ins:

• Residents, contractors, and excavators should call 811 at least two business days prior to work beginning (not including the date of notification).
• SoCalGas and other local utility owners will be contacted to send representatives to mark the location of all utility-owned lines. 
• Once the utility lines have been marked or you are advised that the area is clear, only use hand tools within 24 inches on each side of the marked utility lines, plus one-half the specified size on each side of a single marking with the size of installation specified and dig carefully to avoid damaging any utility lines.
• For more information about safe digging, visit https://socalgas.com/811. 

“Always Call 811” keeps customers, the public, contractors and utility workers safe as prescribed by the law. In 2021, the California Legislature passed, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed, the Wade Kilpatrick Gas Safety and Workforce Adequacy Act of 2021, which prescribed increased civil penalties to operators or excavators who violate the law and cause damage to underground utility infrastructure. Better compliance with this law could help prevent death of or injury to persons, property damage to public and private property, and loss or interruption of utility service.

If you suspect a natural gas leak or pipe damage that may endanger life, cause bodily harm, or property damage, immediately evacuate the area, and from a safe location call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.

For more information about using 811 to prevent accidental digging damage, visit socalgas.com/811.