April is recognized by Virginia and across the U.S. as National Safe Digging Month (NSDM).
As temperatures rise and spring digging projects begin, it serves as an important reminder to contact Virginia 811 Before You Dig.
Whether you’re a professional excavator, contractor, or homeowner, Virginians play a crucial role in preventing damage to underground utilities. Regardless of the project’s scale, contacting Virginia 811 to request utility line markings before digging helps avoid physical injury, property damage, costly repairs, and service interruptions.
It’s often surprising for homeowners to learn that shallow digging is still digging. Simple projects like landscaping, fencing, or installing a mailbox can be dangerous and disruptive without knowing the locations of underground utility lines such as electric, communications, natural gas, water, and sewer lines. So knowing what’s below, no matter how deep you’re digging, is critical to safety.
Virginia 811 is conveniently accessible 24/7 online at VA811.com. Submitting an online locate request is quick and free of charge. You can also reach Virginia 811 by dialing 8-1-1. Once a locate request is submitted, utility companies are notified, and their locators are dispatched to mark the approximate locations of public underground lines with spray paint or flags, using specific colors to indicate the types of utilities marked.
Kick off the digging season safely. Contact Virginia 811 before you dig and dig with CARE.
Professionals
National Safe Digging Month marks the start of another busy digging season and reminds us of our shared responsibility to reduce damages to vital infrastructure by committing to safe digging practices and raising awareness of Virginia 811 services.
Help us spread the word, raise awareness, and promote the 811 Dig with CARE message across all your marketing and media channels. Working together, we can effectively elevate understanding about the importance of safe digging best practices.
Collaborate with Virginia 811 for April National Safe Digging Month!
Here are some ways to get involved:
April Safety Initiative
Permit Projects Need 811 First
As part of our ongoing commitment to damage prevention, VA811 has created a permit office handout designed to provide clear, essential guidance for excavation and demolition projects. The goal is to ensure that anyone obtaining a permit is aware of the critical steps required to work safely.
To support visibility and accessibility, each participating permit office will also receive a brochure holder stocked with these materials.
Key Takeaways:
- VA811 is distributing permit office handouts with clear safety guidance for excavation and demolition projects.
- Brochure holders will be provided to make materials visible and easily accessible.
- VA811 liaisons will visit local permit offices to share materials and answer questions.
- LDPC members and municipal partners are encouraged to support distribution efforts, leveraging existing relationships with local offices.
- Initiative helps prevent avoidable incidents, support members, and strengthen industry partnerships.
Help Get Safety Materials to Local Permit Offices
Know a permit office that could use these handouts? Request a complete kit—brochure holder plus materials—for distribution. By sharing these resources, you’re helping reinforce safe excavation practices in your community.
Locator Safety & Appreciation Week Facebook Sweepstakes
April 20 – 24, 2026
In celebration of Locator Safety & Appreciation Week (April 20 – 24, 2026), Virginia 811 is launching a Facebook sweepstakes challenge to honor these hardworking individuals. Daily challenges are designed to be quick to answer and quickly completed during a typical workday for a chance to win some great prizes. We aim to show appreciation without stress and bring fun to the week. It’s our way of saying thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Contest Participation Made Easy:
- Visit VA811’s Facebook page every day next week at facebook.com/VA811/.
- LIKE the day’s Locator Safety & Appreciation Sweepstakes Challenge post.
- Respond to the question in the comments section.
Other Contest Details:
- The first challenge will be posted on Monday, April 20, at 7:00 AM.
- Daily winners will be announced the following day at 7:00 AM.
- One participant will be chosen as the winner each day starting from Tuesday, April 21, until Friday, April 24.
- Each day’s challenge winner will receive one of four randomly selected prizes.
- Winners will be notified on Facebook Messenger and asked for their mailing address and organization name.
Let’s make this week a celebration of the fantastic job locators perform every day.
Please help us spread the word and be on the lookout for Virginia 811’s first challenge question post on Monday, April 20th.
The Virginia 811 Damage Prevention Ambassador Award
Celebrating Individuals Who Embody The Mission Of Safety And Education
The Virginia 811 Damage Prevention Ambassador Award is intended to recognize and celebrate individuals who actively engage in initiatives that reduce the risk of utility damage during excavation projects, go above and beyond in promoting safe excavation practices, and foster a culture of safety and education within their community.
By honoring these ambassadors, Virginia 811 not only highlights their outstanding efforts but also sets a standard for others to follow. Honoring these individuals is a testament to the belief that individual actions can have a profound impact on overall safety and well-being of the community.