Alabama 811 has been the operating One Call center in Alabama since 1975. For fifty years, Alabama 811 and its member facility companies have partnered in the protection of underground facilities through education, public awareness and excavation notifications. Here are a few things you may not know about Alabama 811:
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We have processed over 14 million locate requests since 1975
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We currently partner with approximately 682 utility companies across the state in protecting their buried facilities
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Alabama 811 is a non-profit 501(c) membership organization
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Alabama 811 is governed by a board of directors nominated and appointed by its membership, who set direction and policy for the organization to best serve the needs of the membership
What are the benefits of membership for facility owners who participate with Alabama 811
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Cost savings by sharing expenses with other facility owners in the call center operations
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A robust damage prevention and education program specifically designed to educate excavators and others on Alabama’s Damage Prevention law and spread the safe digging message to decrease the potential for interruptions and damages to underground facilities
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Notification of planned excavation activities within close proximity of your facilities
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Reassurance that excavators will be able to contact you through the 811 service and not have to try to make another notification to you directly
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Access to publications and materials to assist in meeting safety and compliance requirements
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Documentation of locate requests for a three-year period for claims and damage investigations
Many facility owners realize, after joining 811, how many close misses they have had in potential damages due to the amount of excavation activities near their facilities they were previously unaware of. Many excavators who work all over the state, as well as those who come in from other states, are unaware of the other facilities that may be in the area outside of the members notified through Alabama 811, so they are not aware of who else to contact. In addition, many out-of-state excavators are use to having all facility owners participate in state 811 programs and assume that it is the same in every state where they work.
Alabama’s underground damage prevention law was revised in 2019 and now requires all underground facility owners to protect the facilities they provide, the service to their customers and the safety of those working around their facilities by participating in the services provided by Alabama 811.
Here is how easy it is to begin your membership and participate with Alabama 811:
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Find more information about membership at www.al811.com
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Complete the application
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Execute the membership agreement with proof of insurance requirements
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Submit notification area information relative to your underground facilities and where you want to receive notification of excavation activities
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Establish communications with Alabama 811 to receive your locate request notifications
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Select a start-up date
Alabama 811’s mission is to provide all aspects of central notification services, public education, and promote industry best practices designed to prevent damage to underground facilities in Alabama. Alabama 811’s main concern is to ensure the safety of those working and living near underground facilities when any excavation activity occurs as well as providing education and training on how to accomplish this. Our goal is to do this in a highly effective and efficient manner. Our 50-year history speaks to this goal and our ability to meet the needs of our members and the excavating community.