Ag Country Reminded To Call Before You Dig
Farmers and ranchers using excavation and other non-highway equipment are getting a new reminder to call 811 before they dig. On Monday, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Common Ground Alliance announced shared safety principles aimed at preventing damage to underground utilities. The groups are recommending that manufacturers place an 811-reminder decal on equipment that could unintentionally strike buried utility lines.
“Our members build the machines that build, feed and power the world, and safety is central to that work,” said Megan Tanel, AEM president and CEO. “Adding an 811 decal is a simple, visible way for equipment manufacturers to remind operators to contact 811 before digging or working near underground infrastructure. We are proud to work with CGA to help share this important safety message across the industry.”
Decals Expected To Start In 12 Months
The decals could appear on applicable new equipment sold in the U.S. by August 2027. The groups say underground utility strikes can cause power outages, service disruptions and serious injuries or fatalities. They report nearly 214,000 underground infrastructure damages nationwide in 2025, with failure to contact 811 before digging the leading cause.
Equipment owners can also request a no-cost license from the Common Ground Alliance to reproduce the official decal and add it to existing machines.
"Preventing damage to underground infrastructure is a shared responsibility, and this best practice will remind equipment operators closest to the dig to contact 811 before starting their work," said Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, President and CEO of the Common Ground Alliance. "When non-road equipment manufacturers stand with us, we reach operators before a shovel ever hits the ground. That's how we reduce our top driver of damages every year, which is failure to contact 811 before digging."
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