The Risk is Real: Top 4 Dangers of Excavation Without Knowledge

Accidentally hitting an underground utility line by not taking the proper digging precautions can result in damage to that utility…but it can also cause more severe consequences. From costly service disruptions to bodily harm, the outcomes associated with safety negligence while digging are significant. To reduce your risks, never start a project that requires excavation without knowledge of where underground utility lines are buried. Contact JULIE before you dig—every project, every time. Here are the four biggest dangers of starting a digging project without first having underground utility lines marked.

Severe Harm Or Death

The most critical outcome of striking an underground utility line is personal injury to yourself, your family, your crew, or your neighbors and in extreme cases…death. A damaged gas pipeline can trigger an explosion strong enough to destroy property and cause serious bodily harm. Hitting an electrical line can spark a fire or result in electrocution. While uncommon, fatalities are a real risk of not taking the proper digging precautions.

Environmental Damage

Severing a buried gas or sewer line can lead to environmental damage such as contaminating nearby soil and water sources. This may harm the area’s ecosystem and require extensive clean-up as well as lead to regulatory fines for construction companies. For property owners, damaged sewer lines can create backflow into homes and buildings creating unsanitary conditions and serious health risks. Inadvertently striking a water main can lead to wide-spread flooding and soil degradation throughout the community.

Neighborhood Power Supply Outages

Hitting an underground electrical line can cut off power to not only your property but the surrounding area, as well. This can leave a few—or many—residences and businesses without electricity. In addition to possibly being liable for fines and utility repair expenses, you may experience project delays due to a power outage that can escalate job costs.

Internet and Wi-Fi Disruptions

Underground utility lines for communications services such as high-speed Internet, cable and fiber optics often lie close to the surface, making them especially susceptible to damage when excavation without knowledge of where they’re buried occurs. A disruption to these services impacts a person’s ability to connect with others and stay informed about events happening around them. Even worse, an Internet outage can prevent someone from effectively working at home or participating in remote learning. Understanding the risks that come with excavation without knowledge of where underground utility lines are buried is crucial to preventing damages, power outages, accidents, injuries…or worse. Always take the proper digging precautions. That starts with contacting JULIE before you dig.

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