Louisiana 811

This Sunday, June 21, is Father's Day!

We will honor fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society.

Plan something nice for a great father in your life this weekend and give them a shout out in the comments!

EXCAVATION WORK CAN BE STOPPED EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2026

Under Louisiana's updated Dig Law, an enforcement officer may order excavation activities to cease when there is reasonable cause to believe work is being performed in violation of the law.

Examples may include:
✓ No valid locate request ticket.
✓ Expired locate ticket.
✓ Excavation in unmarked areas.
✓ Excavation where markings are incomplete or improperly maintained.
✓ Other observable noncompliance with Dig Law requirements.

The goal is simple: prevent damage, protect workers, and keep Louisiana's underground infrastructure safe.

Before you dig, make sure your ticket is valid, utilities have responded, and markings are clearly visible.

Learn more at Louisiana811.com.

POSITIVE RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS: EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2026

Knowing whether utilities have responded to your locate request is critical before excavation begins.

Louisiana's updated Dig Law strengthens Positive Response requirements to improve communication between utility operators and excavators.

Before digging:
✓ Verify responses have been received.
✓ Review ticket information.
✓ Confirm markings are complete.

A safe excavation starts with accurate communication.

CONTROL CAN FEEL SAFE...please share your thoughts with me....
..but in utility damage prevention, too much control slows decisions and limits accountability. When people wait for approvals instead of using judgment, risks can increase in the field.
Context drives better outcomes, maybe? When teams understand the why, the risks, and what success looks like, they make smarter decisions in real time....protecting infrastructure and communities.
Replace one approval with clear context: the goal, limits, and expectations. Then trust the people closest to the work to act. TRUST!!!

That’s how you build a good team, faster response, and safer digging. TRY IT!

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR BEAD-FUNDED PROJECTS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2026

Excavators and contractors working on Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)-funded broadband projects should familiarize themselves with Louisiana's updated requirements before work begins.

The Louisiana Dig Law now includes additional requirements intended to improve communication, documentation, and damage prevention during broadband expansion projects.

Understanding the process before excavation begins can help avoid delays, utility damage, and enforcement actions.

Great turnout at last week’s Critical Marine Infrastructure Safety Stakeholder Workshop... over 200 attendees came together for a great day of networking and collaboration.
Appreciation to Ed Landgraf for organizing such a well-run and engaging event. It’s always encouraging to see this level of participation and commitment across the industry.
Looking forward to the next one!

National Flag Day is a day honoring the national flag, observed on June 14. The holiday commemorates the date in 1777 when the United States approved the design for its first national flag.

Today we also recognize the colored flags that protect our nations underground utilities and the locators that place them!

The 2026 Pipeline Association of Louisiana (PAL) Emergency Response Exercise is an opportunity for first responders to strengthen relationships with local pipeline operators, participate in tactical response training, and gain valuable insight into pipeline incident response. Participants will receive updated safety materials, network with industry professionals, and earn up to 2 in-service credit hours.

If you're involved in emergency response, pipeline safety, or public safety, consider attending a session in your area.

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