Employee Spotlight: Thomas Maddalone
In my role as KEC’s Safety Director, I’m responsible for the Cooperative’s safety programs and emergency preparedness. Part of my work in safety includes investigating damage caused to KEC’s property. This can happen when a car runs into a pole, an excavator digs up our lines, or a number of other accidents. In many cases, KEC pursues reimbursement for damages others cause to our facilities.
1 way you can avoid these accidents is by calling 811 before you dig. If you’re planning any digging projects around your home, be sure to pick up the phone before the shovel. The problem these days is that you don’t really know what you’re going to dig into. It could be a buried electrical utility line or even a water, telephone, or gas line. In any case, it would be unpleasant and downright dangerous and it could cost you serious money. If you damage a utility line, Idaho state law allows the utility to bill you for that damage.
Idaho’s 1 Call utility locator service can identify any active utility lines hiding beneath the surface where you plan to dig. Allow 48 hours for the lines to be located. Call 811, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may also visit the Call 811 website for more information. Underground lines are marked with colors according to the utility. Red means electric, blue means water, green means sewer, and yellow means gas or oil.
If you have any questions I’d be happy to talk with you more about this. Just give me a call at (208) 292-3243.