FALL SAFETY CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGES HOMEOWNERS TO DIG SAFELY

CONTACT:  Kevin T. Chmura
815/741-5005
chmura@illinois1call.com

JOLIET, IL – Planning an outdoor home improvement project this fall?  As a homeowner or professional excavator, if that project requires disturbing the earth, take steps to ensure that the project is done safely. Representatives of JULIE, Inc. are stressing the importance of calling the Illinois One-Call System first and promoting safe-digging practices.

“Do-it-yourself outdoor projects are fun and the results are gratifying.  It is just as important for a homeowner planning a simple project in their backyard to know where underground utility lines are located as it is for a professional contractor preparing a large project,” said Mark A. Frost, executive director of JULIE, Inc.  “Illinois law requires anyone digging, regardless of depth, to call JULIE, Inc. at least two working days prior to the start of excavation and to begin that project within 14 calendar days from the call. The 48 hour notice does not include Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.”

Safety Tips

The call to JULIE, Inc. and service provided by members are free to the excavator.  JULIE’s tips for outdoor digging projects include:

1.      Call JULIE (1-800-892-0123) before you dig;

2.      Wait the required amount of time (two working days);

3.      Respect the marks; and

4.      Dig with care.

“Call center operators are available 24 hours per day/365 days per year to receive and process locate request information,” Frost continued.

JULIE, Inc. (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) is a not-for-profit corporation that provides professional and non-professional excavators with a toll-free number (1-800-892-0123) for the free locating and marking of underground facilities.  JULIE, Inc. serves as a notification service for underground facility owners, taking information about planned excavations and distributing this information to its membership.  It is then the responsibility of each facility owner to mark the location of their underground facilities at the excavation site. JULIE, Inc. neither owns nor marks any underground facilities.

The Illinois One-Call System is celebrating its 30^th Anniversary this year.  For more information, visit www.illinois1call.com.