Atmos Energy celebrates National 811 Day with Gold Cup of Safe Digging awards
In observance of National 811 Day, the award recognizes leaders in damage prevention and raises awareness for Call 811
JANS – Atmos Energy celebrates National 811 Day annually on Aug. 11 (8/11), raising awareness for the importance of safe digging practices and procedures across the 1,400 communities they are honored to serve. Since 2024, Atmos Energy has elevated its 811 Day efforts by creating The Gold Cup of Safe Digging, an award presented to excavators with an outstanding record of safety. This year’s winners – Osmose Utilities Services, Carmack, ITG Communications, Greenwood Utilities Commission, the City of Clinton, and the City of Southaven – share Atmos Energy’s commitment to safety and remind everyone to help protect underground utility-owned lines by calling 8-1-1 a few days before any excavation project, no matter how large or small.
“Damage to our pipelines from excavation remains a primary safety risk,” said Bobby Morgan, Atmos Energy Vice President of Public Affairs. “The Gold Cup of Safe Digging celebrates and shows appreciation for construction companies, landscapers, municipalities, and other excavators who take great care in protecting underground utility lines. We greatly appreciate all the communities and contractors for their ongoing partnership in natural gas safety and congratulate each of this year’s winning teams for continued excellence in preventing damage to underground pipelines.”
The celebration continued throughout the day. In partnership with Mississippi 811, Atmos Energy was at Trustmark Park in Pearl to throw out the first pitch and raise awareness for Mississippi 811 and safe digging. Earlier in the day, Atmos Energy personnel delivered donuts to job sites throughout the service territory as a thank you to the crews who make damage prevention a daily priority.
Effective damage prevention helps to minimize harm to people, property, and the environment by proactively identifying potential risks and implementing solutions to avoid incidents before they occur. Calling 811 is a critical component of damage prevention efforts, helping to confirm that digging projects are conducted safely and without disrupting essential utility services. Striking even a single line can lead to injury, repair costs, inconvenient service outages, and fines.
Mississippi law requires homeowners, excavation companies, and contractors to call 811 three business days before digging. When using this free service, the caller is connected to a local call center that notifies area utility companies of the location where digging will occur. Professional locators then arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint, or both.
For more information about 811 and safe digging practices, visit 811beforeyoudig.com or the Atmos Energy website (www.atmosenergy.com) for safety tips – and don’t forget to become a safety ambassador by signing the Call 811 Pledge.
