It’s National Safe Digging Month

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - The pandemic is keeping utility workers busier than ever before.

With more people staying home, “Louisiana One Call” has seen an uptick in homeowners wanting to dig on their property.

They say this year alone, thousands of people have either been injured or damaged infrastructure, because they didn’t call 8-1-1.

“There is a law that no one in Louisiana is exempt from calling 8-1-1 before they excavate, whether they’re homeowners, or if they’re commercial excavators,” says Jeff Morrison, a damage prevention coordinator. “Even worse, you could get into a situation where you could cause bodily harm to someone or yourself or even death in severe situations.”

Morris says people who dig without calling 8-1-1 are also liable for any damage they may cause.

Here’s some safety tips to remember:

- Call 8-1-1 two full work days before you start digging

- Wait for the site to be marked

- Respect the marks

- Always dig with care