Almost got zapped on a job in Tampa last month

I was running a new drop to a backyard shed and didn't check for a buried power line first. My drill bit hit a 120v line that was only 4 inches down, and the whole metal ladder I was on buzzed. What's your go-to method for checking for hidden lines before you dig?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_alex14d ago

Man, that's terrifying. Glad you're okay. I always call 811 before I even think about digging, it's free and they mark everything.

mark67614d ago

You know how many times I've almost hit a line because I was too lazy to call? I once started digging a post hole and stopped because my shovel felt weird, turned out I was an inch from a cable. Now I call every single time, even for a tiny garden bed.