THE DIRT – October 2022
There’s Still Time to Register for the 2022 MWDPTC!
The 2022 Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference will take place in less than four weeks, but there is still time to register! We look forward to welcoming back attendees from the Midwest and beyond for what will be a jam-packed week of education and Old West fun.
Attendees of the 10th annual MWDPTC can look forward to a phenomenal lineup of the most sessions in conference history, inspiring and motivational speakers, the chance to connect with members of the damage prevention community through networking events, the Best Dressed in the West costume contest at the Wild West Welcome Reception, the new Indiana 811 augmented reality experience and so much more.
This year’s expanded lineup of sessions led by industry subject matter experts will have topics of interest for every stakeholder group, including safety, industry trends, workplace behavior and psychology, best practices and more. MWDPTC attendees can also receive Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits for attending sessions at the conference
We hope you will join us at the 2022 MWDPTC!
Visit www.Midwest811Conference.com to learn more or register today!
How Positive Response Benefits the 811 Process
Positive Response is a system that alerts excavators when a utility locator has marked or cleared a locate request for safe excavation, which helps streamline the 811 process. Positive Response communication can also be used when creating a safety checklist to verify that all facility owners have responded appropriately to locate requests, making for a safer excavation. It also offers a record of the response, which can be especially useful during a dispute.
To check Indiana 811’s Positive Response system, log into your Exactix Pro account and select the Responses tab form within the ticket. If you do not have an Exactix Pro account but want to see the status of a request, enter the ticket number and phone number using this tool, then click on the Responses tab from within the ticket to view its status. Additionally, you can learn more about the Indiana 811 Positive Response system and the specific response codes in use that are supported by Exactix on the Indiana 811 website.
* Although highly encouraged, Positive Response is not mandatory in Indiana, so all utilities may not respond.
Positive Response 3C Update Reminder
We would like to remind you that the Indiana Board of Directors recently decided to update the language on our Positive Response code 3C. 3C currently states:
Unmarked – Marking delay requested by locate technician and agreed to by excavator per agreement. Excavation site is unmarked. The locate technician cannot mark within two full working days. The excavator was contacted, and a new deadline was scheduled.
The new 3C code is:
Unmarked – Marking delay requested. Excavation site is unmarked. The locate technician cannot mark within two full working days. Per Indiana Law, the operator shall notify the excavator responsible of the operator’s determination and shall provide additional information.
The updated code will go into effect on Nov. 3, 2022. This change was made to avoid confusion regarding usage of this code and will provide clearer guidance to all parties involved. To see the full list of our Positive Response codes, please visit our website and stay tuned for more information regarding this update.
A Look at Indiana 811 By the Numbers!
As you may know, there has been a large increase in excavation in Indiana in recent years. We did a deep dive into our ticket data since 2016 and are excited to share with you the major increase we have experienced, especially in online tickets.
Take a look at our custom infographic for more information:
With the weather cooling down and fall projects picking up, make sure you submit your online ticket to have your lines marked before digging. It’s fast, easy, free, and the LAW!
Tony Katz Spreads the 811 Safety Message Across Indiana
Indiana 811 recently partnered with national award-winning radio host Tony Katz to educate WIBC listeners throughout Indiana about the importance of contacting 811 before digging and how the 811 process works. Katz regaled audiences with the importance of the 811 Before You Dig message with his unique blend of humor, intelligence, and wit.
Listen to Katz’s 811 safety messages HERE!
Indiana 811 Teams Up with Baseball Teams to Share 811 Safety Message
In honor of 811 day, Indiana 811 partnered with minor league baseball teams across Indiana to share the importance of safe digging with baseball fans. Games featured 811 signage, branded giveaway items, sponsored fireworks displays and more.
- We have partnered with the Indianapolis Indians for many years, and this year we continued to spread the word about 811 and safe digging at Victory Field. We also teamed up with the Indians to create new videos that act as a resource to educate homeowners about the importance of white lining, the five steps to safe digging, the color code card, the online ticketing process and more. Check out the new videos today on the Indiana 811 website!
- We are proud to have also partnered with the Fort Wayne TinCaps for a night of fun and 811 safety promotion at Parkview Field. We worked alongside NIPSCO at the game to inform baseball fans about the importance of contacting 811 before all digging projects.
- We once again partnered with the South Bend Cubs where we were joined by our friends from NIPSCO at the game on Aug. 26 to promote the 811 Before You Dig message to Cubs fans. We gave away a variety of items, including our fantastic 811 branded baseball coolers!
- Lastly, we partnered with the Evansville Otters at Bosse Field where we were joined by CountryMark and On the Spot Utility Resources, LLC to share 811 safety information with baseball fans. Our Superhero Spot was even broadcast on the video board during the game, and the night ended with a spectacular fireworks display sponsored by Indiana 811.
