{"id":469398,"date":"2021-04-01T06:03:17","date_gmt":"2021-04-01T10:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=469398"},"modified":"2021-04-01T06:03:17","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T10:03:17","slug":"spring-signals-start-to-excavation-projects-gov-whitmer-declares-april-safe-digging-month-in-michigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/spring-signals-start-to-excavation-projects-gov-whitmer-declares-april-safe-digging-month-in-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Signals Start to Excavation Projects; Gov. Whitmer Declares April Safe Digging Month in Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

PR Newswire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

\n JACKSON, Mich.<\/span>, April 1, 2021<\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ —\u00a0After more than a year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, many Michiganders are more than ready to undertake outdoor digging projects like landscaping and other home improvements. Dig Safely Month is designed to remind residents and excavators that safe digging measures must be taken with every project, large or small. <\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n \"Consumers
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

“Safety is and always will be our top priority, especially when it comes to underground digging,” said Javid Khan<\/span>, executive director of operations compliance for Consumers Energy. “It doesn’t matter if the equipment used is a shovel, rototiller, auger or large earth-moving equipment, contacting MISS DIG 811 should always be the first step with any construction project. It’s a free service that will mark underground utilities so you can then follow safe digging practices.” <\/p>\n

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer<\/span> declared April as Safe Digging Month in Michigan<\/span>, joining with MISS DIG 811, Consumers Energy and other utilities, the Michigan Public Service Commission and Michigan Legislature to urge Michigan<\/span> residents, farmers and excavators to contact MISS DIG 811 before starting any digging project. <\/p>\n

The law requires contacting MISS DIG by calling 8-1-1 or visiting www.missdig.org\/<\/a>at least three working days in advance of using power digging equipment as well as shovels, picks or other hand tools. <\/p>\n

Practicing safe digging not only prevents damage and service interruptions for underground utilities like natural gas, electric, cable, fiber optic and water, but also helps keep those doing the work safe. No matter how small the digging job, from planting shrubs and other landscaping, to installing fencing, to large road and building projects, contacting MISS DIG 811 is required to safely complete a digging project.<\/p>\n

In 2020, the total number of dig-in damages to the Consumers Energy natural gas system was 2,127, a 3 percent increase over 2019. Thirty-five percent of damages were attributed to not contacting MISS DIG 811 before digging, while 25 percent resulted from not using hand tools to dig around lines when required.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Six counties had 100 or more dig-ins last year: <\/p>\n