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Board workshop aims to sharpen 811 public-safety campaign and distribution networks
Summary
The California Underground Safety Board held a workshop to help design statewide public-safety materials encouraging people to call 811 before digging, emphasizing 'free service' messaging, language targeting and partner distribution to reduce excavation damage.
The California Underground Safety Board’s Education and Outreach Committee convened a mixed in-person and virtual workshop to guide development of a statewide public-safety awareness campaign meant to reduce excavation damage by increasing use of the 811/Dig Alert system. Committee staff said failure to notify 811 before digging remains the top cause of underground infrastructure damage and asked stakeholders for input on messages, formats and distribution partners.
Participants emphasized two initial tactics: stressing that 811/Dig Alert is a free service and producing materials in the primary languages of field crews. "Dig Alert is a free service," said Vanessa Johnson of San Diego Gas & Electric, citing targeted outreach and Spanish-language materials as drivers of increased ticket volume in some ZIP codes. Organizers said the board will prioritize content that utilities and community partners can redistribute to reach homeowners, specialty contractors and investor-driven renovators.
