Hats On for National Safe Digging Awareness Month

Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A. (Weltman) salutes the utility community for the 3rd annual National Safe Digging Month. National Safe Digging Month is an awareness event coordinated by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) and its members to increase the practice of safe digging across the country.

The CGA mounted a campaign to educate the public about the need to call 811 prior to any excavation work.  811 is a federally mandated national “Call Before You Dig” number created to help protect individuals and excavators from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on any digging projects: everything from large scale construction projects to digging a hole to plant a tree.  The CGA is behind the national campaign to alert people to the need to dial 811 prior to performing any excavation, and has promulgated materials this month to help raise awareness of the “Call Before You Dig” requirement.

Ohio is one of 15 states that has a National proclamation for National Safe Digging Month signed by our governor.  Information about the campaign can be found at www.call811.com.  This site also provides a toolkit for utilities, excavators and others to use to help spread the word about the national 811 number, including links to graphics (to be used in accordance with the guide supplied) and information on how to get the 811 graphic on your company website.  There is also a link to the CGA store to purchase bumper stickers, magnets and other materials to help spread the word. 

From Weltman – Thank you for all that you do to keep our communities safe!

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The Weltman Utility Collections & Damage Claims Group helps clients manage utility claims and legal matters.  Weltman’s range of services allows for the complete handling of consumer and commercial recovery claims through each step of the collection and legal processes, reducing the need for multiple vendors. With a dedicated staff trained to exclusively handle utility claims, Weltman provides assistance for consumer and commercial matters on situations involving unpaid service accounts, bad checks, theft of service or successor businesses.  Weltman also offers a dedicated team to help recover utility damage claims, as well as the expenses related to jobsite damages or utility delivery system losses, including pursuing third parties who negligently or recklessly damage facilities, and partner with utility operations, finance and risk management personnel to offer analysis of claims valuations and recovery.