Organizations encourage Ohio residents to call two days before digging to “know what’s below”
Today, Columbia Pipeline Group partnered with the Girl Scouts of Ohio, Troop 1798, to hold an event at the YMCA in Lancaster to celebrate National Safe Digging Month. The organizations shared the natural gas pipeline safety message with community members and encouraged residents and businesses to call 811 before starting any digging projects.
Tracy Huffman, operations manager for Columbia Gas Transmission, welcomed to the event a distinguished group of guests, including Mayor of Lancaster David Smith, Ohio State Senator Tim Schaffer, local fire and police and community leaders. The leaders issued proclamations to the participants in support of this important safety initiative.
“I am pleased to join Girl Scout Troop 1798 and Columbia Gas in Lancaster’s National Safe Digging Month event to help highlight the critical importance of having lines marked before you dig,” said Senator Schaffer. “From landscaping to heavier equipment type digging, it is very important – for safety as well as for maintaining the conveniences of modern life — to call and have lines marked so no underground utilities are broken or harmed. The costs of not knowing what we are digging into can be financial as well as deadly. So, thanks to the Girl Scouts for bringing awareness to this important issue.”
“It is important for all citizens to be aware of the safety issues surrounding underground utilities,” said Mayor Smith. “It is very impressive that Girl Scout Troup 1798 is being proactive in its efforts to advise the public of the importance of safe digging practices including “Call before you Dig.”
Members of Troop 1798 were also on hand to speak, offering an 811 message, a community service message and a safety message reminding volunteers to respect the marks by digging with care. Following the speaking remarks, members of Troop 1798 along with members of the community reported to volunteer stations to participate in various landscape projects on the property of the Lancaster YMCA.
As a result of their participation in the day’s activities, members of Troop 1798 were then able to earn their Agent of Change patch, part of the It’s Your World – Change It! Girl Scout Leadership Journey, a program designed to help girls understand what it means to be a leader who makes a difference in the world. In Agent of Change, Girl Scout Juniors learn how the “power of one,” “power of team,” and “power of community,” work together to help them make their own communities better and have impact around the globe.
Please visit www.call811.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
