Governor Healey Declares April Dig Safe Month 2026
Summary
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities joined the 2026 Dig Safe Awareness National Campaign following Governor Healey's proclamation declaring April as Dig Safe Month. The campaign promotes calling 811 before any outdoor digging project to prevent damage to underground gas, electric, telephone, and cable utility lines. In 2025, DPU investigated 2,645 excavation-related incidents resulting in over $15.4 million in civil penalties, with damage rates reduced by 37.25% since 2018.
What changed
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities announced a statewide Dig Safe Awareness campaign for April 2026, with Governor Healey signing a proclamation to promote the 811 notification service before outdoor digging projects. The campaign aims to reduce excavation damage to underground utility infrastructure including gas, electric, telephone, and cable lines.\n\nContractors, excavators, and property owners should be aware that calling 811 at least three days before digging is legally required. DPU's 2025 enforcement efforts resulted in $15.4 million in civil penalties across 2,645 investigated incidents. The agency has also conducted educational seminars attended by nearly 296 contractors in 2025 as part of a compliance strategy that has reduced damage rates by approximately 37.25% since 2018. All parties planning outdoor excavation should prioritize proper notification to avoid penalties and ensure community safety.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates on DPU enforcement actions and compliance requirements
- Ensure all excavation projects comply with the 811 notification requirement (at least 3 days advance notice)
- Train staff and contractors on proper pre-dig notification procedures
Penalties
In 2025, DPU assessed over $15.4 million in civil penalties to violators for excavation-related incidents involving utility infrastructure damage.
Archived snapshot
Apr 7, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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Press Release
Press Release Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities Joins 2026 Dig Safe Awareness National Campaign
Governor Healey signs proclamation declaring April as Dig Safe Month
For immediate release: 4/07/2026
- Department of Public Utilities
Media Contact
Alanna Kelly, Communications Director
Phone
Call Alanna Kelly, Communications Director at 857-283-3794
Online
Email Alanna Kelly, Communications Director at alanna.kelly@mass.gov
BOSTON — In recognition of April as Dig Safe Awareness month, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is joining Dig Safe Inc., other states, and utility companies across the nation to remind contractors, excavators, and residents to call 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects.
Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll recently signed a proclamation announcing Dig Safe Awareness month in April across Massachusetts. The proclamation is just one of the many ways the state is promoting awareness of the free service that Dig Safe provides to all.
811 is the line for Dig Safe, Inc., an organization that notifies gas, electric, telephone, and cable companies about any intended digging project to ensure underground lines and pipes are not tampered with. Dig Safe tickets can also be obtained online at www.digsafe.com. At no cost to the excavator, professional locators will visit the requested dig site to mark the approximate locations of underground utility lines with flags, spray paint, or both. This ensures that underground utility lines are properly marked before digging starts and can prevent accidents from happening, keeping residents and their communities safe.
“Dig Safe makes it easy for all of us to be safe, not sorry. Buried utility lines are all around us, on both public and private property—sometimes just inches below the surface,” said Chair Jeremy McDiarmid. “Calling 811 is the best way to ensure these lines won’t be hit when starting outdoor projects this year.”
“No one wants to disrupt utility services, or even worse, become seriously injured when tackling an outdoor home project,” said Commissioner Liz Anderson. “Calling 811 or putting in a ticket online ensures your own safety and the safety of your community. This free service promotes safe digging practices and protects you, your home, and your neighbors from serious harm.”
“Make sure calling 811 is the first item on the to-do list any time outdoor excavation is being planned” said Commissioner Staci Rubin. “This keeps workers safe, prevents unnecessary disruptions and costs for ratepayers, and makes sure we’re all complying with state and federal laws.”
Excavations are the leading cause of damage to underground utility infrastructure. In 2025, the DPU investigated 2,645 excavation-related incidents involving possible violations of utility infrastructure in Massachusetts. The DPU’s investigation of these incidents resulted in over $15.4 million in civil penalties assessed to violators.
Additionally, the DPU’s enforcement actions and educational seminars for first-time offenders, which nearly 296 different contractors attended in 2025, have led to a continuous reduction in the total damage rate per thousand tickets. Since 2018, the DPU has reduced the rate by approximately 37.25%, going from a damage rate of 2.47 per thousand tickets to approximately 1.55.
It is required by law to call 811 at least three days before starting to dig on or near your property. Accidentally striking an underground utility line can result in serious personal injury, property damage, and costly service disruptions. Failure to follow the law and state regulations can also result in fines. Even small projects like planting a garden or installing a mailbox require homeowners to contact 811, as many utility lines are buried just a few inches below the ground.
Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Examples of digging projects that require a call to 811 include:
- Installing a mailbox or fence;
- Building a deck;
- Installing a pool or basketball hoop; and,
- Planting trees and shrubs. According to a 2026 survey from Common Ground Alliance, a national association committed to protecting underground utility infrastructure, roughly 10 million households could put themselves and their communities at risk by not contacting 811 before breaking ground this year. Massachusetts residents are highly encouraged not to join that statistic by planning ahead and making the necessary calls to Dig Safe.
For more information about 811 and safe digging practices, please visit https://www.mass.gov/dig-safe or www.digsafe.com.
Media Contact
Alanna Kelly, Communications Director
+
Phone
Call Alanna Kelly, Communications Director at 857-283-3794
Online
Email Alanna Kelly, Communications Director at alanna.kelly@mass.gov
Department of Public Utilities
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) oversees investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water companies in Massachusetts. In addition, the DPU regulates the safety of bus companies, moving companies, and transportation network companies. We also oversee the safety of natural gas pipelines.
Media Contact
Alanna Kelly, Communications Director
Phone
Call Alanna Kelly, Communications Director at 857-283-3794
Online
Email Alanna Kelly, Communications Director at alanna.kelly@mass.gov
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