THE DIRT – September 2022
Register NOW: The 2022 MWDPTC is on the Horizon
The 2022 Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference is just a little less than two months away! The conference will take place Nov. 9-11 in French Lick, Ind., at the scenic French Lick Resort & Casino. It’s not too late to register!
The 2022 MWDPTC will feature a special Old West Theme as we honor and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the MWDPTC, and to commemorate this momentous year, we have created a special tagline – Ten Years on the Range. In addition, the conference will include more sessions than ever before, covering content for all stakeholder groups, with Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits available through the State of Indiana.
Attendees can also look forward to connecting with like-minded industry professionals, hearing from inspiring and uplifting speakers and showing their western spirit at the Best Dressed in the West Costume Contest at the Wild West Welcome Reception. And you won’t want to miss the networking events taking place Nov. 9, which include the opportunity to ride on horseback through the idyllic Southern Indiana countryside, practice your swing during a round of golf at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick, or perfect your aim at the Clay Pigeon Shoot.
Visit www.Midwest811Conference.com to learn more or register today!
Celebrating 811 Day Throughout the Month of August
Indiana 811 is excited to share with you what we did for 8/11 Day this year to spread the safe digging message across the state of Indiana…
- Indiana 811 took over the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 11 and hosted a one-of-a-kind interactive augmented reality experience in partnership with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). The AR filter showed homeowners and professionals the dangers of failing to contact 811 before digging, in addition to the positive result associated with contacting 811 before breaking ground. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the experience on our Facebook page HERE!
- Indiana 811 education & outreach specialists delivered branded cupcakes to radio stations across the state on Aug. 11 as a way to help spread the 811 Before You Dig message to listeners throughout Indiana.
- Play ball! Indiana 811 partnered with minor league baseball partners the Indianapolis Indians, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Evansville Otters and South Bend Cubs to share the importance of safe digging with baseball fans. Games featured 811 signage, branded giveaway items, sponsored fireworks displays and more.
- Earlier this summer, Indiana 811 launched its annual I Dig Summer Contest, reminding excavators to submit their tickets through Exactix PRO for the chance to win big prizes, including cash in the form of Visa gift cards and a two-night conference package to the 2022 Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference. There’s still time to enter the contest, which ends on the last day of summer, Sept. 22.
- Indiana 811 worked with award winning radio host Tony Katz to promote the 811 safety message to WBIC listeners. Throughout August, Katz shared with homeowners the importance of contacting 811 before digging, as well as how the 811 process works.
- As a part of the “From Backyards to Backhoes” campaign, Indiana 811 debuted eye-catching digital billboards across high-traffic areas throughout Indiana, which communicated the importance of contacting 811 before digging to both homeowners AND pros. The artwork was also showcased at Indiana 811’s State Fair booth.
- Indiana 811, in partnership with the IURC, is working with Purdue University and Indiana University Athletics to share the 811 safe digging message with supporters of the Hoosiers and Boilermakers throughout football and basketball season. Both universities included Indiana 811 creative artwork from the “From Backyard to Backhoes” campaign across their social media and websites in celebration of 8/11 Day.
Indiana Kids Safe Digging Program
The Indiana Kids Safe Digging Program, which is led by the Indiana 811 Education Outreach Team and its Education and Outreach Specialists, recently kicked off its fall sessions in August. The engaging program educates students about energy sources and the importance of safe digging in addition to the role that contacting 811 plays in keeping communities safe and connected.
What’s the Scoop on Soft Digging?
Soft digging is a method of excavation that uses air or water pressure to break up ground materials such as soil, sand, mud, dirt, clay, rocks or roadbed, which are then removed by a vacuum truck and stored in debris tanks. There are two types of vacuum excavation, which include hydro excavation and air excavation. Hydro excavation uses pressurized, heated streams of water to break up ground materials, while air excavation refers to using compressed air to break up ground materials.
Soft digging is ideal for removing ground materials that are surrounding old or fragile utility lines. Excavators also benefit from utilizing soft digging during the winter months when the ground is frozen, as hydro and air excavation break through the frozen ground more quickly than traditional excavation methods. Soft digging is cost-effective and reduces the risk of excavator injury, in addition to being faster and more environmentally friendly than traditional digs.
It’s very important to note that soft digging DOES STILL REQUIRE that you use 811 and submit a locate request. It is still DIGGING, and as is the case with anything that “moves dirt,” you need to get your underground lines located before proceeding with excavation. Always 811 Before You Dig when Soft Digging.
