The man probably didn’t know what hit him — or, more accurately — what he hit. It was that fast, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was digging a hole for a private contractor on private property with a large metal auger. He struck an underground electric line and was electrocuted. Another man working with him was injured, shocked, too, as he tried to come help him. This tragedy took place in Gainesville, Fla., but it could have been in your nearest town or, maybe, in your neighborhood or even your yard.
“Electric utilities have always warned the public about looking up to avoid contacting overhead power lines,” said Rick Coons, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “But power lines could be under your feet, too. If you plan to dig or excavate, you need to make sure there are no power lines or other utilities already there.”
Indiana’s “Call Before You Dig” law requires anyone planning to dig to contact Indiana 811 at least two full working days before starting his or her project. This includes homeowners looking to plant a tree, put in a new fence or children’s play set, or dig for any other reason. After a homeowner or contractor contacts 811 about the location and scope of a digging project, 811 contacts the involved utilities. Indiana 811 is a free call and is available 24/7 to take your call.
Each utility will dispatch a line locator to the proposed digging site to mark the approximate location of underground lines with color-coded marks, stakes or flags. Some companies may send you an all clear message or mark OK on the ground. Once all lines have been marked or determined not to pose a conflict to your excavation plans, it is safe to dig carefully around the marks.
There is a 2 foot hand dig zone on either side of the marked buried facility where extreme care must be taken, and only hand or vacuum excavation is allowed in this zone.
Your electric cooperative reminds you that those big green boxes in areas where buried power lines have replaced overhead lines contain the high-voltage electrical equipment you would normally see on a pole. They, too, need to be respected.
This equipment is posted with danger warning signs. While the equipment is generally safe, if it or its covering has been damaged by vandals, careless landscapers or other causes, a potential hazard may exist. Children should be taught not to play on top or around the padmounted equipment. Please report any damage to your cooperative immediately.
And while homeowners may not like the look of the green boxes, they should refrain from placing shrubs, trees and other things next to them to hide them. Whenever a problem arises, your electric co-op lineworkers must be able to access the box from all sides. Any plantings nearby may be damaged or removed, and repairs may be slowed.
Sources: Indiana 811, Call 811, The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun, Indiana’s electric cooperatives
