J.U.L.I.E. -
Illinois One Call System
The
beginning of the spring dig season is coming up soon and as part of
a statewide “Dig Safely Illinois” education campaign,
representatives of J.U.L.I.E. (Joint Utility Locating
Information for Excavators) and the Village of Alsip
are promoting the importance of calling the Illinois One-Call System
before any digging projects and stress safe-digging practices to
professional and non-professional excavators.
“The far-reaching
consequences of unsafe or careless digging practices can take a
staggering toll, in terms of costly delays, environmental or
property damage, liability, personal injury and even loss of life”,
said Kevin Chmura, public relations manager at JULIE, Inc. “Digging
responsibly is the only way to dig in Illinois. Loss of utilities
can leave communities without such vital services as police, fire
and medical protection.”
According to state law, anybody
planning an outdoor project that requires any type of digging,
whether the project is large or small, should call J.U.L.I.E. first
at 1-800-892-0123. Operators are available to receive and process
calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The call to J.U.L.I.E. and
service provided by members are free to excavators.
COMMON OUTDOOR PROJECTS
Common examples of outdoor
projects that require a call to J.U.L.I.E. before digging include
putting up a fence; installing a swing set, a mail box post or new
water feature; building a deck or room addition; preparing a new
garden area; or adding new trees or shrubs.
SAFETY TIPS
J.U.L.I.E.’s
tips for outdoor digging projects include:
- Call J.U.L.I.E.
(1-800-892-0123) before you dig;
- Wait the required amount of
time (two working days);
- Respect the marks; and
- Dig with care.
J.U.L.I.E.,
also known as the “Illinois One-Call System,” is a not-for-profit
corporation that provides professional and non-professional (i.e.
homeowners) excavators with a toll-free number (1-800-892-0123) for
the free locating and marking of underground facilities. J.U.L.I.E.
serves as a notification service for underground facility owners,
taking information about planned excavations and distributing this
information to its membership. It is then the responsibility of each
facility owner to mark the location of their underground facilities
at the excavation site. J.U.L.I.E. neither owns nor marks any
underground facilities.
JULIE, Inc. promotes an easier,
safer digging environment and serves the entire state of Illinois
outside of the city of Chicago, which is covered by DIGGER. Illinois
law requires all persons digging to call J.U.L.I.E. at least two
working days prior to the start of excavation and to begin that
project within 14 calendar days from the call. The 48 hour notice
does not include Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
Established in 1974, J.U.L.I.E.
represents over 1,580 members. For more information, please visit
www.julie1call.com