Senate Passes Peters Bipartisan Resolution Supporting National Safe Digging Month

DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) applauded the recent Senate passage of his bipartisan resolution designating April as National Safe Digging Month, to build awareness of safe digging practices that protect homeowners and utility workers from damaging underground utility lines during excavation projects. Peters introduced this resolution with U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Deb Fischer (R-NE).

“Every year, underground utility lines are damaged during excavation projects causing interruptions to critical services, harm to the surrounding environment, and often dangerous personal injuries,” said Senator Peters. “I applaud the Common Ground Alliance for their work to establish National Safe Digging Month – and was proud to help build on their efforts by passing this bipartisan resolution that will increase awareness and promote safe practices that keep Michigan homeowners and workers safe.”

“Underground utilities are an important part of our country’s infrastructure, but poor preparation for excavation projects can put these lines and those who are digging at great risk,” said Senator Wicker. “I encourage all excavators who are planning a new project to use the 811 hotline to learn more about safe digging practices. Greater awareness of excavation safety can help us take a step toward better protecting homeowners and businesses, and ensuring important services are not interrupted.”

“April is the time of year when digging projects large and small begin in earnest, and we truly appreciate that the U.S. Senate has passed the National Safe Digging Month resolution to remind Americans just how critical it is to protect themselves and their communities when excavating,” said Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, CEO and President of the Common Ground Alliance, the national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them, and their communities. “Whether digging with a backhoe or a simple shovel, Americans should always contact 811 beforehand to find out the approximate location of buried utilities and avoid striking essential infrastructure that we depend on every day.”

“Far too often, we see the tragic results to people, property, and the environment when people fail to call 811,” said Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown. “Hats off to Senators Peters, Fischer, Cantwell and Wicker for their continued leadership in Congress, raising awareness about this important issue, and for their longstanding commitment to improving pipeline safety.”

Each year underground utility infrastructures are unintentionally damaged during digging and excavation projects, resulting in service interruption, environmental damage, personal injury, and even death in severe cases. These critical infrastructures includes pipelines, electric, gas, telecommunication, water, sewer, and cable television lines. Established by the Common Ground Alliance, National Safe Digging Month is designed to create awareness of safe digging practices including the “One Call” policy which encourages homeowners and excavators to call “811” to obtain information regarding the location of utility lines. Peters’ resolution designates April as National Safe Digging Month to support safety and awareness efforts – and because April is the beginning of the peak period when excavation projects are carried out around the country.

Peters has been a strong supporter of enhancing pipeline safety, specifically to protect the Great Lakes. Peters passed his bipartisan legislation, the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act, into law in 2016, which has helped improve pipeline safety and oversight throughout the country. This legislation additionally included measures to improve the storage of hazardous materials, including directing the Department of Transportation to issue minimum safety standards for the operation and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities, as well as a provision to promote mapping technology to help prevent accidental pipeline damage during underground excavations.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

###