Insurance Insights ~ March 1999

Call Before You Dig

Maybe you can and maybe you can’t, but if you are an Excavator, Engineer, Architect, Driller or a Contractor and you want to "Dig it" you would be wise to remember 1-800-242-1776. With that number, you can contact Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc.

Company Description

Pennsylvania One Call System is a non-profit Pennsylvania corporation providing underground utility notification service under Pennsylvania Act 38 to its members in all 67 counties of the Commonwealth. It has been in operation since 1972. Membership in a one call system is mandatory of all underground line owners/operators. The principal place of business is located at 925 Irwin Run Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15122.

Mission

"To prevent damage to underground facilities in order to better ensure public and excavator safety by providing an efficient, cost effective communications network between excavators and underground facility operators."

Purpose

To gather information from excavators, contractors, builders, designs, engineers and private citizens who are going to dig, drill, blast, bore and to pass this information on to user members in an attempt to:

• promote a higher level of public safety
• reduce underground utilities damage
• minimize utility interruptions
• reduce on the job injuries and fatalities
• protect the environment
• enhance compliance with OSHA regulations

Services

The company provides a toll free telephone number for anyone to call when digging and requesting location of underground lines. 1-800-242-1776 The service is available 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Information is taken from the caller and passed on to underground facility operators via data transmission to computers or fax machines and voice relayed to their personnel when necessary. The system accepts automated responses from facility operators and relays them to the excavators.

In addition, they offer street level screening services, provide electronic mapping data and updates. Safety presentations are available to participating facility operators and excavators. They enhance public awareness through attendance at trade shows and safety conferences, and provide mailing services for compliance with state and federal regulations.

Since its inception in 1972, Pennsylvania One Call System has increased its membership from six (6) utilities to 1671 underground facility owners from the following industries: gas, electric, telephone, pipeline, water, cable television, telecommunications, and local government. Use of the service by excavators increased from 389 calls the first year to over 365,000 in 1997. Increase revenues from growth are used to offset operating expenses.

Development to Date

In 1968 the Pittsburgh Public Service Coordinating Committee began work on forming a one call system. It had six members in September of 1972 as "Call Kathy". In 1974 Act 287 was passed requiring notification. By the end of 1975, it grew to serve 33 counties in Western Pa. Also in 1975, a similar organization began service in Central Pa. Later in 1976, this organization, Joint Utility Notification for Excavators, or ‘Call June", merged with "Call Kathy" and chose the name Pennsylvania One Call System.

Today, Pennsylvania One Call System serves all 67 counties and employs over 40 people. Development goals are for increased participation by all underground facility operators and all excavators.

Funding of the company has come from notification service fees to members and a small amount from excavator fees and supplier dues.

Contractor Responsibilities

Each contractor who intends to perform excavation or demolition work within the Commonwealth should request the location and type of facility owner lines at each site by notifying the facility owner through a One Call System. Notification should be at least three but not more than ten working days in advance of beginning work.

All you need do is contact PA One Call System within the required time limit, provide the required information and receive a serial number.

State Holidays

These are not considered working days:

• New Year's Day
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents' Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Flag Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Election Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Saturdays and Sundays.

Uniform Color Code

This chart will let you know what those paint marks on the ground are all about.

• RED -- Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables
• YELLOW -- Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Materials
• ORANGE -- Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit
• BLUE -- Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines
• GREEN -- Sewers and Drain Lines
• WHITE -- Proposed Excavation

For more information call:

Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc.
925 Irwin Run Road
West Mifflin, PA 15122
412-464-7100 or 1-800-248-1786 (for Administrative Calls only)
412-464-7104 - Fax

You can also check out their web site at http://www.paonecall.org.

Motto

"What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You"

Remember, don’t guess, call before you dig: 1-800-242-1776.

You just got to know how and where to dig it, to dig it. You dig?

Is There a Piece Missing from Your Insurance Puzzle?

You’ve taken steps to protect your autos, home, life and health with needed insurance coverage. But what about insuring the one thing that allows you to pay for these and more? YOUR INCOME!!!

Your most important asset is your ability to provide an income to pay for food, your home, clothes, utilities, and your transportation. What would happen if you suffered a disabling illness or injury that would affect your ability to earn an income? What would you do?

Such compelling questions with possibly frightening answers. Borrow the money from family and friends? Sell your assets for possibly less than fair market value? Have your spouse work, support the family, and take care of you?

While most of us might be thinking we are healthy and really don’t need this type of protection, let’s take a look at the odds:

• One in twenty people will incur an accident this year.
• One in four people will be disabled for one year or more before age 65.
• Disability is the cause of nearly half of all foreclosures.

Disability Income Insurance can take the scare out of the above situations. The policy can provide supplemental income to pay the bills. Choosing the right policy does not need to be difficult. Here are some of the features you should consider when purchasing this important coverage:

• Choice of benefit amount based upon your current occupation and income.
• Renewable to age 65
• Benefit period options -- 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, or to age 65
• Waiver of premium

Our agency can help you piece your insurance puzzle together by providing quality coverage with Assurity Life Insurance Company and Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company. Disability Income Insurance -- providing a sensible solution to unforeseen changes in your life.

INSURANCE INSIGHTS is an electronic newsletter published monthly by G. C. Weimer Associates, Inc. Information contained herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief as of 3/1/99. If you have a topic of interest for a future issue, e-mail us at info@gcwinsure.com.