Dig Safe Statistics

Here, you can see how the Pipeline Safety Division is keeping you safe by enforcing the Dig Safe law through investigations and education.

Table of Contents

2022 Statistics

Due to some Dig Safe Violation Reports containing more than one violation code, the number of violations is greater than the number of Dig Safe Violation Reports.

The Division received 1,034 Dig Safe Violation Reports; 83% of those related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  In terms of types of violations:

  • 36% of all alleged violations concerned an excavating process error;
  • 28% of all alleged violations concerned a utility company’s mismark or failure to mark an excavation site in response to a Dig Safe ticket;
  • 27% of all alleged violations concerned an invalid Dig Safe ticket or a failure to call Dig Safe Inc. before digging;
  • 5% of all alleged violations concerned a timeliness error;
  • 4% of all alleged violations concerned an excavator’s failure to premark or maintain marks; and
  • <1% of all alleged violations have further research ongoing.

2021 Statistics

The Division received 927 Dig Safe Violation Reports; 83% of those related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  The Division investigated 356 alleged violations of the Dig Safe Law by both excavators and utility companies; 81% of those related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  The Division also issued 356 NOPVs, 81% were related to natural gas facilities.  In terms of types of violations:

  • 29% of all alleged violations concerned an excavating process error;
  • 30% of all alleged violations concerned an invalid Dig Safe ticket or a failure to call Dig Safe Inc. before digging;
  • 26% of all alleged violations concerned a utility company’s mismark or failure to mark an excavation site in response to a Dig Safe ticket;
  • 7% of all alleged violations concerned an excavator’s failure to premark or maintain marks; and
  • 8% of all alleged violations were for other reasons.

2020 Statistics

The Division received 958 Dig Safe Violation Reports; 84% of those related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  The Division investigated 239 alleged violations of the Dig Safe Law, by both excavators and utility companies; 96% of those related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  In terms of types of violations:

  • 24% of all alleged violations concerned a failure to use reasonable precaution during digging;
  • 34% of all alleged violations concerned an invalid Dig Safe ticket or a failure to call Dig Safe Inc. before digging;
  • 31% of all alleged violations concerned a utility company’s mismark or failure to mark an excavation site in response to a Dig Safe ticket;
  • 4% of all alleged violations concerned an excavator’s failure to premark or maintain marks; and
  • 7% of all alleged violations were for other reasons.

2019 Statistics

The Division received 1022 Dig Safe Violation Reports, 86% of which were related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  The Division issued 665 Notices of Probable Violation for alleged violations of the Dig Safe Law to both excavators and utility companies, 89% of which were related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  In terms of types of violations:

  • 36% of all alleged violations concerned a failure to use reasonable precaution during digging;
  • 28% of all alleged violations concerned an invalid Dig Safe ticket or a failure to call Dig Safe Inc. before digging; and
  • 35% of all alleged violations concerned a utility company’s mismark or failure to mark an excavation site in response to a Dig Safe ticket.

Finally, the Division collected $2,079,000 in civil penalties, and conducted two training sessions for 65 first time offenders.

2018 Statistics

The Division received 1089 Dig Safe Violation Reports, 91% of which were related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  The Division issued 489 Notices of Probable Violation for alleged violations of the Dig Safe Law to both excavators and utility companies, 92% of which were related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  In terms of types of violations:

  • 23% of all alleged violations concerned a failure to use reasonable precaution during digging;
  • 29% of all alleged violations concerned an invalid Dig Safe ticket or a failure to call Dig Safe Inc. before digging; and
  • 46% of all alleged violations concerned a utility company’s mismark or failure to mark an excavation site in response to a Dig Safe ticket.

Finally, the Division collected $2,058,000 in civil penalties, and conducted three training sessions for 108 first‑time offenders.

2017 Statistics

The Division received 936 Dig Safe Violation Reports; 87% of those related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  The Division investigated 320 alleged violations of the Dig Safe Law, by both excavators and utility companies; 87 percent of those related to damaged underground natural gas facilities.  In terms of types of violations:

  • 15% of the alleged violations concerned a failure to use reasonable precaution during digging;
  • 35% concerned an invalid Dig Safe ticket or a failure to call Dig Safe Inc. before digging; and
  • 48% concerned a utility company’s mismark or failure to mark an excavation site in response to a Dig Safe ticket.

Finally, the Division collected $1,711,000 in civil penalties, and conducted three training sessions for 96 first‑time offenders.

Contact   for Dig Safe Statistics

Fax

(617) 478-2589

Address

Pipeline Safety Division – Damage Prevention Program
Department of Public Utilities, 1 South Station, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02110
Date published: March 30, 2023

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