Dig safely: Call O&R before outdoor work

PEARL RIVER — Orange & Rockland Utilities urges its customers to make sure they’re clear of all underground utility lines running through their property before they or their contractors break ground for a home addition, shed, fence or other project that requires excavation, drilling, or digging with power tools.

Call 811, toll-free, at least three to 10 business days before starting work. That’s the nationwide One-Call Notification System’s phone number.

If a backhoe or other mechanized excavator strikes an underground electric or natural gas line, water or sewer pipe or communications cable, there is a heightened risk of serious accident, injury or costly property damage. It could also disrupt essential utility service.

The utility companies will mark the location of their underground facilities using either colored paint or small flags. Each type of service has its own color: white, proposed excavation; pink, temporary survey; red, electric; yellow, gas or oil; orange, telephone and cable; blue, potable water; purple, reclaimed water; and green, sewer and drain.

If a natural gas line is damaged, immediately evacuate the area and call O&R’s Gas Emergency Hotline at 1-800-533-5325. For digging accidents that damage underground electric cables, call O&R at 1-877-434-4100.

April is being observed nationwide as Dig Safely Month. For more details about working safely around underground and overhead equipment, visit www.oru.com.