AUGUSTA – The Maine Public Utilities Commission wants the public to know that when a dig is planned near utility lines, the Dig Safe program is there to make sure it’s done safely.

Anytime underground digging is to be conducted, either by a member of the public or a contractor, the Dig Safe program should be called at 888-DIGSAFE.

“Anyone who plans a dig of any size, from installing a mailbox to landscaping projects to utility line installation and road construction,” should call to ensure no hidden lines are in the way, a PUC press release states.

Dig Safe is a free service that allows utilities, property owners and excavators to quickly find out what utility lines are located in the area and exactly where they are. Failure to follow Dig Safe and other federal and state regulations can result in project delays, environmental damage, serious injury and even death. They also can bring fines of $5,000 or more.

Dig Safe sends out notification to all area member utility companies, which will then send personnel to mark out their lines, “so that when someone digs, drills or blasts, they can do so safely,” the press release states.

Not all utilities are Dig Safe members. Smaller utilities, such as municipal water systems, may not be members, but those utilities also must be notified of planned digs, so residents and contractors are advised to call the PUC’s OK-TO-DIG program at 866-OKTODIG to get information on town and ZIP code-specific utility information.

In addition to the phone numbers listed above, information can also be gathered at the PUC’s Web sites: www.digsafe.com and www.oktodig.com.