A Neighbourly Approach to Digging

April 6, 2021

At the first sign of Spring, the great Canadian exodus begins as we head outdoors to upgrade and beautify our spaces. This year, there’ll likely be even more focus on enjoying those spaces as COVID-19 curtailed any hope of a tropical vacation to break up the long, cold winter. What’s not unique about this year, but is often overlooked, is the need to use caution when breaking ground.

April is designated Safe Digging Month as spring is typically when digging begins in Canada. Despite the annual reminder, thousands of cables, wires, pipelines, and sewer lines are accidently damaged in residential, agricultural, and industrial settings every year. Did you know that damage to buried infrastructure costs Canadians $1.2 billion dollars every year? Damages are preventable!

So when you venture out to build your deck or fence, dig a garden or trench, or plant a tree, make sure you can do so safely. Visit Click Before You Dig if you have to dig 30 cm or deeper. While it’s recommended you contact them at least three business days in advance, there may be COVID-19 related delays so give them as much time as possible.

Using Click Before You Dig is easy and free of charge, and will help ensure your safety, avoid costly repairs and fines, and minimize the likelihood of leaving yourself and/or your neighbourhood without power or other essential services. Cutting off access to the internet is not the best way to get to know your neighbours.

Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbours – you’ll be surprised how many people think clicking before you dig only pertains to big projects. For more information, visit the Canadian Common Ground Alliance.

Helping raise awareness of safe digging practices and overseeing damage prevention regulations are just some of the ways the CER helps to keep Canada’s energy infrastructure safe.

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