Unearthing Safety: 811 Day (Aug. 11) Promotes Safe Digging
and Preventing Costly Mistakes Kansas Gas Service provides 5 helpful tips to prevent digging accidents
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Aug. 7, 2023 – Aug. 11, National 811 Day, is almost here!
This date, 8/11, serves as a valuable reminder about the importance of safe digging practices and
preventing damage to underground facilities.
“On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike
to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of accidentally hitting an
underground facility,” said Sean Postlethwait, Kansas Gas Service vice president of Operations.
“Our highest priority is safety, and the best way to prevent injuries or disrupting service in your
neighborhood and community is by contacting 811.”
How 811 Works
Contacting 811 connects you to the local one-call center, which notifies utility companies of
your digging plans. These utilities may include natural gas, electric, water, sewer, cable and
telecommunications. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the
approximate locations of underground lines using flags, spray paint or both.
It’s a free service that only takes a few minutes and helps keep your community safe.
Kansas Gas Service encourages everyone to put safety first when undertaking any digging
project – whether large or small.
For a safer digging experience, here are 5 helpful tips to follow:
1. Contact 811. Call 811 or submit an online request at Kansas811.com at least two full
working days before you start your digging project. (If you hire a contractor, make sure
they have contacted 811.)
2. Verify the Marks Are Fresh and Complete. Verify that all utilities have marked their
facilities and wait for confirmation that the markings are complete by reviewing your
ticket with 811. Ensure the markings are not from a previous project.
3. Respect the Tolerance Zone. The tolerance zone is the area located 24 inches on either
side of the underground facility. Always hand dig within this area to avoid contact or
damage.
4. Only Dig within the Project Area. By contacting 811, the project area can be defined
and helps ensure digging occurs within that area.
5. Smell Gas, Act Fast! If you smell gas while digging or damage a natural gas line, leave
the area immediately then call 911 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950.
To learn more about safe digging, visit BeADigHeroKansas.com.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 642,000 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