Call 811 Before Digging Reminder for National Safe Digging Month

AG: South Carolina News

Published April 1st, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued a reminder for National Safe Digging Month (April) urging all residents and contractors to call 811 before any digging project. The notice reinforces the South Carolina Underground Damage Prevention Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 58-36-120), which applies to projects of any size including DIY work like planting gardens or installing fences. The AG has authority to levy fines for violations.

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What changed

This is a consumer awareness notice from the South Carolina Attorney General reminding the public of the legal requirement to contact 811 before engaging in any digging activity, regardless of project size. The notice cites the South Carolina Underground Damage Prevention Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 58-36-120) and notes that the Attorney General has authority to levy fines for violations.

Compliance officers at construction firms and contractors should ensure crews and subcontractors are aware that even small projects require a locate request by calling 811 or using the Exactix online system at exactix.sc811.com before beginning work. Homeowners undertaking DIY projects should similarly be reminded of this requirement, as many utilities are buried just inches below the surface.

What to do next

Call 811 or use Exactix (exactix.sc811.com) before starting any digging project, regardless of size
Remind employees and subcontractors of the legal requirement to locate underground utilities before digging
Ensure all workers, including temporary staff and DIY homeowners, understand that no project is too small to require a locate request

Source document (simplified)

APR 01, 2026

Attorney General Alan Wilson reminds everyone to call 811 before you dig

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson reminds everyone that April is National Safe Digging Month and to call or log in to www.SC811.com before you dig. It’s the law, and it’s not just for contractors and utilities. No job is too small or too big. Even common do-it-yourself projects—such as planting a garden, installing a mailbox, or setting up a fence—can pose risks, as many utilities are buried just inches below the surface.

811 is the national number designated by the Federal Communications Commission to help protect do-it-yourselfers, landscapers, and contractors from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on projects that involve digging.

Damage to utilities can disrupt services to your neighborhood or job site, and can even be deadly, especially in the case of damage to gas or electric lines. Liability of tens of thousands of dollars can arise when a utility must repair the damage. Additionally, the Attorney General has the authority to levy fines for violations of the South Carolina Underground Damage Prevention Act. See S.C. Code Ann. § 58-36-120.

To have underground utilities located before a project, you can call in a locate notice request by dialing 811. You can also use the online ticket entry system, Exactix, at https://exactix.sc811.com. The online ticket entry system can be easily accessed from your computer or cell phone to place a locate notice request. It only takes about two minutes to enter a locate notice request when using Exactix. Locate notice requests need to be made three full business days before work begins.

SC811 offers an online training program available at https://sc811.com/education-outreach/online-training/. So, before you plant flowers around your mailbox or start a project that involves digging, contact SC811! Visit www.SC811.com for more information about safe digging practices in South Carolina.

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