Governor Terry Branstad recently signed a proclamation declaring April as National Safe Digging Month.
The proclamation aims to educate the public about the importance of safe digging. There are laws in Iowa requiring anyone planning to engage in digging or excavation projects, whether small or large, to notify Iowa One Call in order to make sure there are no underground hazards in the proposed site. This includes homeowners planning work in their yards, farmers planning work in their fields, and professional contractors planning projects that will entail any type of digging.
Potential hazards include underground gas or electric lines, communications cables, and water facilities. People who dig without the approval of Iowa One Call are subject to civil penalties enforced by the Iowa Attorney General, which may be as high as $500,000 in fines.
For more information, click on the link below.