TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 1, 2014) - April is Dig Safe Month and Enbridge Gas Distribution, a member of Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA), want to remind homeowners and contractors that it's the law to call Ontario One Call before digging.
Dig Safe Month coincides with the unofficial start of the spring digging season as the weather turns warm and outdoor work begins. Homeowners and contractors must call for the location of underground pipes and cables before they start digging to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages.
"The biggest threat to natural gas pipelines is damage caused by excavators failing to use safe digging practices, which is why we're reminding Ontarians that it's the law to call Ontario One Call before doing any digging or excavating," said Glenn Beaumont, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "Gas lines can be damaged during activities such as fence or deck building and tree planting."
In June 2012, the province passed Bill 8 - the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act (2012) - allowing Ontarians to simply call one number for underground utility markers.
Yesterday, the Government of Ontario passed the regulations associated with this legislation, making Ontario the leading province for Canadian safe digging practices.
"Enbridge Gas Distribution applauds the Honourable Minister of Consumer Services, Tracy McCharles, Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Paul Miller for their effort in making Ontario the national leader in safe digging practices," Beaumont said. "Thanks to their efforts, Ontarians wishing to dig will simply have one number to call."
Except in emergency situations, requests should be made at least one week in advance - either online at www.On1Call.comor by phone at 1-800-400-2255.
The ORCGA's 2014 Dig Safe Provincial Kick-Off takes place today, Tuesday April 1, at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a formal announcement at 12:30 p.m.
For more information on natural gas safety, including a video on how to dig safely, visit www.sixsecondsafety.com or follow #digsafe on Twitter.
About Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 165-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. Enbridge Gas Distribution delivers safe, reliable natural gas in more than 100 communities across Ontario and is a leader in promoting energy efficiency programs. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2013 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2013 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com or follow @enbridgegasnews on Twitter.
For more information please contact:
Phone: 416-495-5944
Cell: 647-521-6767
Email: michelle.macleod@enbridge.com
