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U.S. Group plays lead role in reforming state's "Call Before You Dig" laws

South Carolina's laws regarding "Call Before You Dig" hadn't been updated since 1978 and had numerous loopholes meaning that calling before working didn't always protect construction workers and homeowners.

Before the new law was signed into law in June 2011, South Carolina was one of six states which did not require all utilities to be a member of the "One Call" center, and one of eighteen states which did not require utilities to respond to all notices.

As part of a two-year effort to move reform legislation forward, U.S. Group's safety personnel played a key role in legislative negotiations to craft a bill as representatives of the construction industry, working with representatives from utility companies and a bi-partisan coalition of legislators.

The final bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously and was quickly signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley.

You can read the language of this bill online at www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/705.htm

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