As spring weather returns, Toronto Hydro is reminding customers to call before they dig

April is Dig Safe Month and Toronto Hydro is encouraging safe digging practices in the city. (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)

April is Dig Safe Month

TORONTO, April 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Last year, there were approximately 60 instances of homeowners or contractors digging into underground electrical equipment in the city of Toronto.

Each time a dig-in happens, there's a real safety risk to the people involved as contact with a live powerline can cause severe injuries and in some cases, death. It's in everyone's interest to follow safety standards but more than that, it's the law as stated by the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Toronto Hydro wants to remind customers and contractors who are planning any work that involves digging, to first contact Ontario One Call. Ontario One Call is a free service that will come to your house or job site and tell you exactly what's underground, including power cables, gas lines, water lines and telecommunication wires. This program was put in place to improve safety and reduce damages to underground facilities.

For more information, or to book a visit with Ontario One Call, visit on1call.com or call 1-800-400-2255.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Toronto Hydro has over 13,000 kilometres of electrical cable running underneath the city, which includes neighbourhoods and backyards.
• On average, there are 103,550 excavations completed per year (based on the number of locates issued)
• Customers are liable for any damage or injury caused by interfering with any buried
• infrastructure
• Ontario One Call (ON1Call) was formed in 1996

QUOTES

"If you're planning any outside work that involves digging underground — whether you're a homeowner or a professional — it's important to first find out what's under your feet. This will make sure you stay safe and avoid making a costly mistake."

- Tori Gass, Spokesperson, Toronto Hydro

ABOUT TORONTO HYDRO

Toronto Hydro owns and operates the electricity distribution system for Canada's largest city. A leader in conservation and demand management, it has 761,000 customers located in the city of Toronto and distributes approximately 19% of the electricity consumed in Ontario.

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SOURCE Toronto Hydro Corporation

Tori Gass, Communications and Public Relations, 416-903-4037, [email protected]; 24-hour media line: 416-903-6845, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.torontohydro.com