Folsom,
NJ – With Memorial Day weekend rapidly approaching, sunny skies and warm temperatures have many homeowners taking shovel in hand with plans for landscaping changes. South Jersey Gas wants to remind customers that it’s illegal to dig on their property without first obtaining a markout of buried utility systems.
“Safety is priority number one,” said Jeffrey Dubois, executive vice president and chief operating officer for South Jersey Gas. “Unfortunately, some contractors and homeowners cut corners and dig without a required markout. The time saved by skipping a markout is not worth the risk.”
According to the American Gas Association, more than half of all reportable accidents involving natural gas lines are caused by "third-party" damage. Problems often stem from excavators who illegally begin digging before natural gas utility lines are properly marked.
According to Dubois, problems - and sizeable fines as well as possible prosecution for violating state law - can easily be avoided by calling New Jersey One Call at 811 for a free markout of buried natural gas utility lines before digging. When a call is placed, a locating service will schedule and perform a free markout of gas lines and other buried utility lines within three business days.
“The peak time for gas line strikes begins in April and continues through summer as outdoor projects begin. We encourage everyone to use the One Call system to help protect lives and property,” added Dubois.
South Jersey Gas is the principal subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI) and provides natural gas utility service to over 343,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and significant portions of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey. Visit www.sjindustries.com for more details about the company and its programs.
# # #