The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has announced that it has become the first national launch partner to join the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) on the new 811 “Know What’s Below — Call Before You Dig” campaign.

“As an 811 partner, we continue our commitment to protecting the excavator, the public and to overall job site safety,” said AGC CEO Stephen E. Sandherr in announcing the partnership.

811 is the new FCC-designated national N-11 number created to eliminate confusion of multiple “Call Before You Dig” numbers across the country.

This quick and efficient service will connect callers with local One Call Centers who notify the appropriate local utilities, who then send crews to the requested site to mark the approximate location of underground lines for free.

It is important to know where underground lines are buried before each digging project to help prevent injury, expense and penalties. 811 is live already in some parts of the country and will be used nationwide later this year. It is not designed to eliminate existing numbers but will work alongside them.

“811 is a win-win situation for our industry and the general public,” Sandherr explained.

“AGC members are among the most reliable users of state one-call programs and we are extremely proud of everyone who supported this important goal. This will serve to eliminate confusion, increase the number of professional and homeowner excavators using the state one call systems and undoubtedly save lives.”

AGC played a role in securing provisions in the pipeline Safety Reauthorization Bill, signed into law in December by the President, which establishes equitable enforcement of damage prevention laws for all stakeholders in the one-call process and secures funding for critical technology research as well as the national 811 awareness program.

For more information, visit www.call811.com.

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