History of Dig Safely

In 1996, OPS organized a stakeholders' group to develop a national damage prevention education campaign. This group came to be called the Damage Prevention Quality Action Team (DAMQAT). It was comprised of natural gas and liquid transmission pipeline systems, large and small natural gas distribution operators, state and federal regulatory agencies, professional excavators, one-call systems, the insurance industry and the telecommunications industry.

Specific stakeholders included in DAMQAT were the American Gas Association, American Public Gas Association, One Call Systems International, the National Telecommunications Damage Prevention Council, the Associated General Contractors of America, the National Association of State Pipeline Safety Representatives, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the American Petroleum Institute and the Interstate National Gas Association of America.

DAMQAT assessed the status of damage prevention programs and effectiveness, and to identify additional opportunities that could lead to a reduction in excavation damage. This work led to the development and implementation of the damage prevention education pilot campaign known as Dig Safely.

With continuing support from OPS and stakeholder organizations, Dig Safely turned out a succession of successful program guides, starting with a guide to a trade advertising campaign and direct mail packages. More than 20,000 copies of "Get the Dirt," a video, were distributed in both English and Spanish.

Launch of 811

The establishment of 811 as the national call-before-you-dig number in May 2007 allowed stakeholders to collaborate on a national campaign promoting one number.  The designation and launch of 811 provided a significant and rare opportunity for the call-before-you-dig process to gain national attention.  Leading up to the 811 kick-off, CGA worked with stakeholders to develop a campaign geared toward building awareness throughout the United States.  The CGA launched the 811 national campaign and web site (www.call811.com) in May 2007 and continues to focus on supporting this initiative.