Aug. 5, 2024 – Kansas Gas Service is addressing common myths about the 811 service to raise awareness about the importance of safe digging.

“Contacting 811 is one of the most important things that customers and workers who dig can do,” said Sean Postlethwait, Kansas Gas Service vice president of Operations. “Safety is our top priority, and taking the easy step to contact 811 is the best way to protect yourself and your neighbors.”

Digging into the Facts About 811:

1. Is contacting 811 a complicated process?

Fact: One easy phone call to 811 or submitting a locate request online at Kansas811.com will alert owners of registered pipelines, telecommunication cables, underground power lines, etc., to mark their buried facilities. There’s no charge to you for this service.

2. Do small digging projects require an 811 notification?

Fact: Every digging project, whether small or large, such as planting a tree, installing a fence or major construction, requires contacting 811 at least two full working days in advance.

3. Is there a need to contact 811 if you’ve dug in the same spot before?

Fact: Even if you think you know where underground lines are located, it’s important to contact 811 every dig, every time. There may be unexpected lines or changes since your last project.

4. Is it necessary to contact 811 in rural areas where there are no utilities?

Fact: Even in rural areas, there can be buried facilities, and their locations can be surprising. Always contact 811 before digging.

On 811 Day, and every day of the year, Kansas Gas Service encourages you to put safety first when undertaking any digging project — no matter the scale.

Essential tips for safe digging:

• If you hire a contractor, make sure they contact 811 before digging.

• Respect the tolerance zone, which is 24 inches on either side of the underground facility. Within this zone, you should exercise reasonable care using hand or soft digging techniques to avoid any contact or damage to the facility. Soft digging includes any excavation with tools and equipment that uses air or water pressure to break up soil and rock.  All damages or disturbances to a utility must be reported to the facility owner or operator and 811.

• Smell Gas, Act Fast!If you smell natural gas while digging or damage a natural gas line, leave the area immediately then call 911, 811 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950.

For more information about safe digging practices and the importance of 811, visit beadigherokansas.com or scan the QR code below.

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 648,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced a new $500,000 grant opportunity for established registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas. Awards will range from $75,000 to $200,000 per awardee.

These grant funds will be awarded to assist existing programs with technical instruction, on-the-job training, staffing and additional employees to implement and manage programs, marketing and outreach, and other activities.

“The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship plays a vital role in our state’s economic growth by helping prepare our workforce for success,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We know that registered apprenticeships are key pipelines to career advancement, professional development and prosperity. This grant opportunity bolsters our commitment to preparing Kansans for in-demand jobs that need their skills right now.”

This additional funding opportunity plays an integral part in growing and supporting the registered apprenticeship programs throughout the state. Over time, the grant has helped with recent successes including the 80% growth in new registered apprentices across the state (from 925 in 2023 to 1,672 in 2024).

“Last year, registered apprenticeship programs used these funds in a variety of creative ways,” Director of Apprenticeship and Internship Shonda Anderson said. “Investments were made in Spanish-speaking instructors, new training equipment for electricians and heavy equipment operators, as well as agriculture and human resource opportunities.”

The Kansas Department of Commerce currently is seeking applications. Eligible applicants must be a state educational institution, business, non-profit group or workforce board with projects that will attract and retain employees and continue to build the state’s workforce through registered apprenticeship.

Those applying should clearly demonstrate linkage between project, industry demand, apprentice training and recruitment. Additionally, applicants are required to provide a 1:1 match for every grant dollar requested.

Interested parties have until 5:00 p.m. August 25 to apply. Announcement of awardees is expected in September.

For more information about the application or to apply, click here. For more information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, click here.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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