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Pacific Gas and Electric
Tips of the Trade
PG&E's COVID-19 Response
Summer 2020: Everyone's resources have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help prevent delays by pre-marking your proposed dig area in white and notifying 811 of your planned excavation with as much lead time as possible: up to 14 calendar days in California.
To learn more about PG&E's response to COVID-19, click here.
Safe Digging Laws

You may already know that state law requires you to notify 811 before digging so that underground utility lines can be located and marked. But do you know exactly how many days in advance you are required to do this, and whether you must pre-mark your proposed excavation site to delineate it for locators?

State-mandated notification time frames and pre-marking requirements vary. Here are some important tips to follow in California.

Notify Underground Service Alert Before You Dig

Order a FREE worker safety training kit on the PG&E e-SMARTworkers website.

Order Kit
Notify Underground Service Alert Before You Dig

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Dial 811 or notify Underground Service Alert (USA) online at least two working days before you dig, not including the date of notification, weekends and legal holidays. For online ticket entry, visit 811express.com.

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Before you notify USA, you must pre-mark your proposed dig area with white paint, chalk, flags and/or stakes.

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Do NOT dig until all utilities have responded. Notify 811 if you see evidence of unmarked facilities or if any utilities have not responded when the deadline passes.

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If you do not notify USA before digging, you may be subject to costly fines and have to pay the repair costs for any damaged utilities.

Emergency Exceptions

If you must respond to an emergency—such as a broken water main or other threat to life, health, property or essential public services—these requirements do not apply. In this case, please call 811 as soon as possible to request emergency locate assistance.

Would You Like to Know More?

Additional digging guidelines and training tools can all be found at no charge to you on the PG&E e-SMARTworkers website.

Call 811 before you dig

Dig safe

Damage to a natural gas pipeline can cause a gas leak that can result in a fire, explosion and/or injuries.
Call 811 or use the online ticket system at 811express.com at least two working days (not including the date of notification) prior to starting work.

Make the call

If you suspect a gas leak or if you contact a gas pipeline or electric power line, call 911 immediately then PG&E at: 1-800-743-5000.

Stay alert and look up

Keep yourself and all tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines. Only qualified line-clearance tree trimmers can work in the 10-foot safety zone.
For more contractor safety information, visit pgesafetyeducation.com/contractor.
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