â–º Listen Live

SGCA asking people to “Dig Safe” to prevent injuries, utility knockouts

With many homeowners improving on their homes through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance is saying that if people are going to dig, they should dig safely.

While April would normally be Dig Safe Month, this year the SCGA says it top of mind as many people build things like new decks, fences or dig a garden during the time they’re at home. In addition to that, construction work across the province ramps up every April by up to 60 per cent.

The SGCA explains that every year, thousands of buried utility lines are damaged, which can cause serious injuries, take out service to entire neighbourhoods and potentially result in fines or repair costs. These damages are estimated to cost over a billion dollars annually in Canada.

There were 780 line damages reported in Saskatchewan in 2020 according to SGCA data, and 32 per cent of Crown utility line hits were the result of not calling ahead to notify.

Residents are reminded that any project that requires digging, commercial or personal, requires a locate request. They’re encouraged to either call or check online with Sask 1st Call before digging so that they can quickly request a line location.

A professional locator will come to check the line, marking off different lines with different colours to reflect if it something like a gas, electric or communications line. People can also call ahead to learn things like how far away they should be digging from the line, if they should use hand tools, and more.

People can also use Click Before You Dig anywhere in the country to look up this information themselves.

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Battlefords RCMP seek suspects in robbery, assualt

Battlefords RCMP seek your help to find two men who may be driving a blue four-door 2015 Hyundai Sonata car with Saskatchewan licence plate 786 LHD. The duo is suspected to be involved in a robbery, and assault.

Sask Free Fishing Weekend, Jul 12-13

The fishing just got real as Saskatchewan is opening its waters for you to cast a line without a licence this weekend, July 12-13.

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.
- Advertisement -