The PUCO has issued its first damage prevention grants to communities prepared for training.
A new grant program by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will help protect Ohio’s underground utilities and prevent costly damage across the state.
The new Underground Utility Damage Prevention Grant program is designed to fund initiatives that improve public awareness, enhance training and incentivize compliance within the utility sector. Money for these grants comes from fines paid by excavators, utilities and other entities.
The PUCO issued its inaugural set of grants in April: over $70,000 was awarded to 9 organizations.
Two organizations spoke with the PUCO about their plans for awarded grant funds.
OHIO811
Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OHIO811) serves as the “Call Before You Dig” Notification Center in Ohio, leading the public safety message for underground damage prevention since 1972.
“Every time dirt is moved, there is potential to strike Ohio’s extensive buried utility infrastructure. As the state’s leader in underground damage prevention education, OHIO811 will utilize funds received from the PUCO Underground Utility Damage Prevention Grant to expand our safe excavation outreach initiatives that ensure everyone who digs in Ohio is informed on how to do so safely,” states Jaime Gillen, Director of Public Relations and Communications at OHIO811.
The funds received through the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Grant will offset the associated costs and expand OHIO811’s excavator seminars. These engaging, all-day workshops provide hands-on learning opportunities with real-world scenarios.
Additionally, OHIO811 utilizes all forms of digital outreach, such as social media, and will expand upon public awareness campaigns to promote training opportunities for professional excavators, deliver critical public safety outreach messages and promote school and community events.
“Our efforts aim to ensure that every dig—whether by a professional excavator or a homeowner—is conducted with the knowledge and care needed to protect Ohio’s underground utility infrastructure and keep our communities safe,” said Gillen.
“With continued support from our industry partners, organizations such as the PUCO, and programs like the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Grant, OHIO811 is poised to strengthen its mission of fostering a culture of safe excavation and ensuring public safety across Ohio.”
Visit OHIO811.org to find out more about free excavator training programs, make an excavation notification, or learn about safe excavation practices across Ohio.
Wayne County Engineer’s Office
The Wayne County Engineer’s Office is responsible for 500 miles of county roads and nearly 400 bridges throughout Wayne County.
“As you can imagine, we have many types of situations when we are excavating. Some areas are within municipal boundaries, others are out in rural areas where many undergrounds don’t exist, or you think they don’t exist,” said Andrew Jones, Assistant County Engineer.
Because of the rural nature of the area, many oil and gas wells were tied together in networks years ago to serve neighbors. These lines are mostly unmarked and unregulated because they were installed without permits or ran through culverts and under bridges. These lines present an additional challenge to excavation.
“We are going to try and bring awareness to some of these potential dangers for the public by having information on call before you dig and other promotional material for adults as well as some fun stuff for the kids. We have several street fairs we attend as well as our county fair which is the biggest event,” said Jones.
Additionally, funds will be used to conduct interactive safety meetings with staff. Jones plans to bring in different speakers to address excavation safety and even have an “excavation rodeo” for engagement.
Ohio’s Underground Technical Committee hears complaints about unsafe digging practices around utility infrastructure and can order corrective action or monetary fines.
