If you are a member of the media, please email ngarcia@azcc.gov or call (602) 542-0728.
If you are a member of the media, please email ngarcia@azcc.gov or call (602) 542-0728.
Phoenix, Ariz. - August 11 is National Safe Digging Day (also known as 811 Day) and the Arizona Corporation Commission is reminding customers and excavators to call 811 at least three business days before beginning any outdoor project that involves digging. The local utilities will then send a crew to mark underground lines in the area (electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable TV and others) with stakes, flags or paint.
What is 811?
811 Day is an annual initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the practice of safe digging is echoed in communities by calling 811, a nationwide toll-free number, before any excavation project.
“The Arizona Corporation Commission’s Office of Pipeline Safety (AZOPS) AZ811 Investigators are dedicated to educating customers to keep them safe and to prevent underground utilities infrastructure from being interrupted,” said AZOPS Program Manager Eric Villa. “Anyone that plans to excavate should call 811 or go to Arizona811.com at least two working days before digging - it’s free, it’s easy, and it’s the law.”
What the Data Shows:
The U.S. Department of Transpiration’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) praised the ACC Safety Division in its 2024 evaluation for adequately enforcing state excavation damage prevention laws. AZOPS crews inspect construction sites for damage prevention compliance, investigates reported damage, and issues citations when probable violations are identified. AZ811 generated 866,848 tickets in 2025. Arizona’s commitment to underground safety reached a new highpoint in 2025, as pipeline damage incidents fell by 8.4%, even as excavation activity remained at historic levels.
It’s easy to make a free request by calling 811 or going online to http://www.arizona811.com.