JACKSON, Mich., May 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is alerting farmers that new MISS DIG rules take effect Thursday, May 1, that are designed to protect agricultural workers and underground utilities.
"We feel strongly about the safety of our customers and the communities we serve, especially the agricultural community," said Mary Palkovich, Consumers Energy's vice president of energy delivery. "For the sake of personal safety, we strongly encourage everyone to call 811 to have underground utilities marked on your property any time you are breaking ground."
Public Act 174 amends the 40-year-old MISS DIG law and clarifies that those engaged in routine farming operations must call MISS DIG to request staking at least three days before beginning work, unless one of three conditions is met:
- Soil disturbance is in the public right of way AND not deeper than 12 inches. There are no above grade structures such as phone pedestals within six feet of the activity.
- Soil disturbance is outside public right of way and more than 25 yards from a pipeline. There are no above grade structures such as phone pedestals within six feet of the activity.
- Soil disturbance is outside public right of way, within 25 yards of a pipeline but not deeper than 18 inches. There are no above grade structures such as phone pedestals within six feet of the activity.
Everyone, including farmers, need to call MISS DIG prior to performing any other excavation projects, such as installing drain tiles or wells, which are not defined as routine farming operations.
Those who worked to enhance PA 174 worked with agricultural community leaders to better define MISS DIG requirements for excavation activities used in farming.
MISS DIG is providing a free membership to farm property owners. The membership includes notification to farm property owners whenever a MISS DIG staking request is made for excavations near their property in order to help them know when buried utilities are being placed on or near their property.
Reach MISS DIG by calling 811. MISS DIG sends work requests to member facility owners who will mark the approximate location of their underground utility lines at no charge. Excavators are required to hand expose the buried facilities to determine their precise location if digging near the marks.
Details of PA 174 are posted online at www.missdig.net.
In addition to working safely around underground utilities, Consumers Energy reminds agricultural workers to be aware to avoid overhead electric lines and other equipment such as poles and green electric cabinets when planting this spring.
If a vehicle does contact electric lines, remain in the vehicle until help arrives, if it safe to do so. If the vehicle must be exited, avoid touching the ground and the vehicle at the same time, and call 911 or Consumers Energy immediately at 1-800-477-5050. Do not attempt to remove electric lines – wait for professional help.
Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConsumersEnergyMichigan and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ConsumersEnergy.
SOURCE Consumers Energy
Terry DeDoes, 517-374-2159; or Debra Dodd, 517-545-8711