Just because you can’t always see natural gas pipelines or power lines, it doesn’t mean they aren’t buried below your job site or hiding behind trees. The best way to stay safe around electricity and natural gas is to be thoroughly aware of their location and keep your distance. That means contacting MISS DIG 811 before starting excavation projects to avoid pipelines and power lines and staying clear of overhead lines. Always take the necessary precautions before starting a job. For more, check out our free library of resources and training materials. Contact our Public Safety Outreach Team with questions.

Contact MISS DIG 811 Before You Dig. It’s the Law.

Hitting underground lines—natural gas, electric, sewer, water and others—can be dangerous to you and the people around you. It can also be expensive to repair and may disrupt service to your community. Reach out to us if you have any questions.

Even simple projects like planting bushes or trees, building decks and fences and installing a mailbox require a call to MISS DIG 811. State law requires you contact MISS DIG 811 by calling 8-1-1 or going to www.missdig811.org at least 3 full working days before you dig. MISS DIG 811 will arrange to have underground power lines, gas lines and other utilities marked at no charge so you can dig safely.

To learn more about safe excavation, check out our Excavator Damage Prevention Guide, our Digging Safe page or our Public Officials Information brochures.

Power Line Rules to Live By

If you are planning work around power lines, take it all in. Look up and look around, identifying and communicating hazards to everyone on the job. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) provides clear guidelines to work safely around power lines. Download the rules about maintaining a safe distance and visit the website for more.

There’s Safety in Numbers. So Let’s Team Up.

Let’s work together to ensure public safety. Our Public Safety Outreach and Damage Prevention Team works with local officials and contractors on a regular basis to ensure construction projects around our gas and electric infrastructure are completed safely. Find your local representative to learn more.