Dialing 811 can help prevent damage and save lives
HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2012--
The Common Ground Alliance, an association dedicated to ensuring public
safety and environmental protection, reports that an underground utility
is struck every three minutes across America with natural gas and
telecommunications lines being most commonly struck*. With that in mind,
Travelers is reminding anyone who digs to call
before you dig and dial
811 to help stay safe and prevent damage to underground utilities.
“Dialing 811 prior to any digging project drastically reduces the
chances of hitting an underground utility,” said John Komidar, Vice
President, Travelers Risk Control. “The Common Ground Alliance reports
that when a call center is notified prior to digging, underground
utilities are struck less than one percent of the time. This one small
step can make a big difference in being responsible for thousands of
dollars in repairs or worse, a life threatening accident.”
Travelers supports the Common Ground Alliance’s best practice of calling
811 at least two business days in advance of any digging project.
Even routine projects may lead to hitting an underground utility.
Utilities including gas, sewer and telephone lines may be 18 to 36
inches below ground or less depending on state requirements. These are
depths that can easily be hit when simply planting a tree or putting in
a mailbox.
Failure to identify underground utilities prior to a digging project can
create financial risk for homeowners and professional contractors. Not
only could there be a significant injury or damage to the property as a
result of hitting a utility that could need repair, but there could also
be fines by the local regulators, liability for repair of the damaged
utility and potential liability to neighboring homes or businesses
impacted by utility outages.
If an underground utility is struck, contact appropriate emergency
services, the utility company and your insurance company as soon as
possible and document the following:
-
All parties involved on the project at the time of the accident
-
Witnesses – identify and get contact information
-
One-Call System ticket numbers
-
Type of utility line struck
-
If you are on site when the utility company responds (and you should
be):
-
Number of utility trucks
-
Number of utility company employees
-
Number of repair hours
-
Conversations with utility representatives, contractors and emergency
responders
Travelers has been a member of the Common Ground Alliance as a National
Insurance Company Launch Partner since the inception of the 811 Public
Awareness campaign in 2007. Travelers supports this ongoing national
initiative for individuals, whether contractor or homeowner, to call the
number, 811, before starting any digging activity, from planting a tree
to installing a pipeline.
Pledge now to call before you dig to help keep the community safe by
visiting The811Promise.com.
For other information on ways to help manage risks visit Travelers.com/Prepare-Prevent
for homeowners and Travelers.com/RiskControl
for business owners.
About Travelers
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV)
is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto,
home
and business.
The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide
range of coverage sold primarily through independent agents and brokers.
A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than
30,000 employees and operations in the United States and selected
international markets. The company generated revenues of approximately
$25 billion in 2011. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.
*Common Ground Alliance, http://www.damagereporting.org/annual/2010/DIRT_Report_for_2010_Final_101211.pdf
Source: Travelers Companies, Inc.
Travelers
Matt Bordonaro
860-277-7014
