Fence Blog

At Dennisville Fence, the safety of our team and the integrity of your property are our top priorities. We believe that every fencing and railing project, no matter the size, should be completed with the utmost care and attention to potential hazards. That’s why we are constantly investing in the training and education of our employees to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work safely and effectively.

Recently, our team participated in a comprehensive safety training session conducted by South Jersey Gas Company. The presentation, titled “South Jersey Gas-Dennisville Fence Damage Prevention,” underscored the critical importance of preventing damage to underground utilities and provided us with valuable insights and best practices for safe digging.

Why is Damage Prevention So Important?

Damage to underground utilities can have serious consequences, including:

• Risk of Injury: Striking a gas line or electrical cable can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities.
• Service Disruptions: Damage can cause outages for essential services like natural gas, electricity, water, and telecommunications, impacting entire communities.
• Environmental Hazards: Leaks from damaged gas or other pipelines can pose significant environmental risks.
• Legal and Financial Liabilities: Contractors can face substantial fines and legal repercussions for damaging underground facilities.

Key Takeaways from Our Safety Training

811 – Call Before You Dig: This is the cornerstone of damage prevention. We were reminded of the legal requirement to call 811 at least three full business days before starting any excavation work, regardless of the depth or scale of the project. This free service notifies participating utility companies of the planned digging, allowing them to locate and mark their underground lines.

Safe Digging Practices: The training emphasized the proper techniques for excavating near marked utilities. This includes:

• Hand Digging: Within the tolerance zone (typically 18-24 inches on either side of the marked utility), excavation must be done carefully by hand to avoid damaging the underground facilities.
• Maintaining Marks: We were instructed on how to properly maintain the utility markings throughout the duration of the project.
• What to Do if Contact is Made: The presentation outlined the immediate steps to take if any underground utility is struck, including stopping work immediately, evacuating the area, and contacting the utility company and emergency services.

Our Commitment to You:

At Dennisville Fence, our participation in this safety training with South Jersey Gas reinforces our unwavering commitment to:

• Thorough Planning: We meticulously plan every project, including contacting 811 before any digging commences.
• Educated Team: Our crews are trained on the latest safety protocols and equipped with the knowledge to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
• Respect for Your Property: We take every precaution to ensure that our work is performed safely and without causing damage to your property or surrounding utilities.

When you choose Dennisville Fence, you can have peace of mind knowing that your project will be handled by a team that prioritizes safety above all else. We believe that a safe work environment is essential for delivering high-quality results and protecting our community.