Chapter 3
3.1 Proactive Public Awareness, Education, and Damage Prevention Activities76/
Practice Statement:
The 811 center has a documented and proactive public awareness, education, and damage prevention program.
Practice Description:
The 811 center seeks opportunities to promote the need to “Call or Click Before You Dig.” All promotion is intended to enhance awareness of responsibilities to safeguard workers and the public; protect the integrity of buried infrastructure; foster a cooperative approach between the owners of buried facilities and the excavating community toward preventing of damage to buried facilities, and promoting its service. Typical 811 center activities include the following:
- Promotional items
- Media advertising
- Maintain a social media presence
- Participation at safety meetings
- Presentations, conferences, seminars, trade shows and other community events
- Excavator awareness and education programs
- Distribution of education material describing how the 811 system works
- Maintaining a database of active stakeholders of the local digging community
- Facilitating meetings between stakeholders
- Participation in local damage prevention or facility location and coordination committees
- Advocacy and inclusion in legislative processes
References:
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One Call Systems International Voluntary Recognition Program
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Existing operating practices from various states’ 811 centers
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811 Center Information
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49 CFR Part 192
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49 CFR Part 198
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National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Safety Study (NTSB/SS-97/01; PB97-917003