Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution

Reminds Pennsylvanians to call 8-1-1 before all digging projects

Rep. Robert F. Matzie    April 16, 2026 | 3:04 PM

HARRISBURG, April 16 – The Pennsylvania House Wednesday adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution designating April 2026 as “Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe Digging Month.”

Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced H.R. 403 to make sure Pennsylvanians are aware that the law requires them to call 8-1-1 – the free “Call before You Dig” hotline – before embarking on any digging or excavation project.

“Overhead powerlines may be easy to spot, but many of us forget that there is also a huge network of electric, gas, water and communications lines and structures buried beneath us,” Matzie said. “Any digging or excavating – even of the shallow kind – can create major safety hazards, service interruptions and damage requiring extensive repairs. It’s critically important for homeowners, business owners, contractors, excavators – anyone planning any kind of digging – to dial 8-1-1- at least three days before starting to dig, to allow utilities to mark underground structures beforehand.

“It’s a free call that takes very little time and can prevent massive problems. It’s also the law.”

Matzie said calling 8-1-1 is required even for shallow digging projects and those located directly on a homeowner’s private property.

More information is available here: https://www.puc.pa.gov/pipeline-safety/pa-one-call/#:~:text=Homeowners%20and%20contractors%20must%20call,begins%20to%20disturb%20the%20earth.