PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Late winter and early spring is when people start to plan their gardens and landscaping projects, and an excavator safety seminar held Wednesday in Pittsford was part of a statewide effort to educate people about safe digging procedures.
Dig Safely New York works to protect the public by preventing damage to underground facilities. Organizers of the seminar said far too many people just begin digging and don't check beforehand.
"Safe digging is no accident. You always want to make sure you place a notification request before you dig, by simply calling 811, waiting the two full business days for the utilities to come out and respond," said Jim Flint, Dig Safely New York. "It's a free service so there's no reason not to do it, and making sure that we keep those underground utilities safe."
The 9th annual seminar was attended by some 350 contractors, excavators and employees from cities, towns, and villages.