Digging Safely

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Safety is our #1 priority at Hawkins County Gas.  We strive to make our customers feel comfortable and safe at all times.  In the event of an emergency, call our 24-hour emergency line at (423) 272-8841 or (423) 357-8585.  If your call is not answered please dial 911 and report your emergency.

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State Law requires anyone about to engage in either digging, excavation, moving of earth, demolition or any type of activity that disturbs the earth and therefore possibly involving a danger to damaging underground utility lines, to notify Tennessee One Call, of their intent to dig.  Whether you are building an addition, laying a patio, planting a garden, or just digging a post hole for a mailbox, it's the law to make this call.  The service is free and it's the law.

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You can simply dial 811 at no charge from any phone, or you can submit locate ticket requests electronically at www.tn811.com.  Tennessee One Call will then notify the member utilities of your proposed work.  The utility company locator will then have 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, to locate those underground facilities, and will be marked for you at no charge.

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The locate ticket you receive is only valid for fifteen (15) calendar days from the start dated indicated on the ticket, after which time, it expires.  If you wish to continue working beyond the expiration date, you must call in at least three (3) working days before the expiration date to renew your locate ticket, at which time you will be given a new ticket number.

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If someone damages underground utilities without having the underground utilities marked, Tennessee law imposes civil penalties up to $10,000 in addition to actual damages, including repair and lost gas.

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The complete state law is shown in its entirety by clicking on the link below.  Do NOT use the above quick summary as the complete representation of the law.  Tennessee One Call would be happy to clarify any questions you might have regarding the law and outline helpful guidelines and procedures of excavation.

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Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act

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Remember, if a gas main or service line is exposed during digging, call Hawkins County Gas at (423) 272-8841.  A representative will be dispatched to inspect the exposed pipe.  Proper attention to pipe that has been exposed will prevent problems later.