When it comes to underground utility lines, what you can't see can hurt you. The Common Ground Alliance, an association that promotes efforts to reduce damage to underground infrastructure, estimates that there are more than 20 million miles of gas, electric, water, sewer and telecommunication lines buried underground in the United States. That's the equivalent of more than one football field's length of buried utilities for every man, woman and child in the nation. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can lead to injuries and fatalities, property damage, service disruptions and costly repairs. Consequently, utility companies and contractors go to great lengths to ensure that their employees are taking the necessary safety precautions when working around underground utility infrastructure. Still, incidents continue to occur. Read the full article.
