The New York State Public Service Commission is joining a nationwide effort that recognizes Aug. 11 as National “811 Day” to remind residents to always dial 811 to request that underground utility lines be marked before any digging.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811, according to the PSC.

When digging, PSC officials say people run the risk of hitting an underground utility, even if only digging a few inches.

“Striking a pipeline, wire or cable can result in costly repairs, fines or utility service outages. Even worse, a line strike can cause serious personal injury or even death. According to the US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in 2016, New York had 91,191 miles of natural gas distribution, transmission and gathering pipelines and 1,147 miles of hazardous liquid pipelines,” a news release from the PSC says.

The commission routinely monitors the utilities’ gas emergency plans to make sure that they are up to date, to identify improvement areas, and to ensure that the plans are in compliance with the commission’s gas safety requirements, they said in their release.

“The Commission continually works to ensure safety and reliability of gas and electric services,” Commission Chair John B. Rhodes said in a prepared statement. “We remind New Yorkers to always call 811 before any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Dig safely!"

For more information about events going on around the state for 811 day visit: https://www.digsafelynewyork.com/news/811-day-august-11-2017-activities. For information about Dig Safely New York, go to http://www.digsafelynewyork.com/ or call 315-437-7394. For information about New York 811, visit http://newyork-811.com/ or call 1-800-272-4480. For more information on 811, visit http://call811.com/.