Safe Digging Starts with Calling 811

April is National Safe Digging Month, a nationwide campaign that reminds contractors, homeowners, and anyone planning an excavation project to call 811 before digging. Calling 811 connects you with the Hawaiʻi One Call Center (HOCC) which help protect people and critical infrastructure by ensuring underground utility lines are identified and marked prior to excavation.

Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities can result in serious injuries, service outages, costly property damage, and even loss of life. Even common do-it-yourself projects, such as planting a tree, installing a fence, or repairing irrigation, can strike buried lines if precautions are not taken.

The process for requesting a utility locate is free, simple and available 24/7. Call 811 five to twenty-eight business days before digging and the HOCC will arrange for utility operators to visit the site and mark the approximate location of underground utility lines using color-coded paint or flags. These markings identify utilities such as electric, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunications lines so excavators can dig safely.

Damage caused by excavation is the leading cause of serious pipeline incidents nationwide, making damage prevention efforts critical to public safety and infrastructure protection. Under Hawaiʻi law, professional excavators and contractors are required to notify HOCC before beginning excavation and failure to do so may result in fines.

To strengthen damage prevention efforts, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) evaluates state damage prevention programs to ensure they meet federal safety standards. The HOCC has received an "adequate" rating from PHMSA for nine consecutive years, recognizing the program's commitment to strong education, outreach, enforcement, and protection of underground infrastructure across the state.

The Public Utilities Commission oversees the HOCC under contract. Before starting any excavation project, remember to Call 811 or visit digsafelyhawaii.com to submit a locate request.