Reaching Excavators and the Public this April

We’re just a few weeks away from National Safe Digging Month (NSDM), and CGA is excited to launch several new tools and graphics to support all of your outreach this April – including our new Excavator Toolkit and 2023 NSDM press release. (Must be logged in as a member to access)

Excavator Toolkit

With our acquisition of the Gold Shovel Association, CGA’s membership includes more contractor members than ever before. We’re excited to expand our resource offerings to include new data-driven tools that speak directly to those who are on the jobsite every day about their critical role in preventing damages. 

Visit CGA’s new Excavator Toolkit page to download a range of resources that you can use to meet our “50 in 5” challenge, activate for specific NSDM campaigns, or implement throughout the year. The Excavator Toolkit contains:

• Internal messaging: Are you a contractor new to CGA? This tool can help you introduce CGA and National Safe Digging Month (NSDM) to your employees via email, newsletter or other digital media.
• Toolbox Talk one-pager: Our eye-catching flier can be used to guide a daily Toolbox Talk or Safety Moment dedicated to 811 and safe excavation practices.
• Infographics: A suite of four graphics is available for use on social media or in newsletters, presentations and other outreach. Based on DIRT data and inclusive of 811 campaign messaging updates, these tools are designed to help target top damage root causes.
• Social media messages: Crafted to work in conjunction with the infographics or on their own, these excavator-targeted social messages encourage effective and consistent use of the 811 system and adherence to CGA Best Practices.

2023 NSDM Template Press Release

To support your NSDM media outreach, CGA recently surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. homeowners to produce timely data and statistics about the general public’s likelihood to dig and/or use 811 this year. Download CGA’s 2023 NSDM template press release today and customize it for your media pitches to TV and radio stations, print/online publications and podcasts. Key data points from the template press release include:

• 74% of Americans say they will complete a digging project this year, with most planning gardening or landscaping projects.
• More than 49 million Americans will dig without contacting 811 beforehand, putting themselves and their communities at risk.
• 82% of Americans who would hire a contractor to complete a project involving digging this year say that contractor usage of the 811 system is important to them.

Also check out the NSDM Toolkit for more resources. Additional NSDM tools will be released next week.

Coming Soon: NEW 811 Tagline and Logo Animation!

Stay tuned to your weekly Damage Prevention Download email – next week, we’ll be launching a new variation of the 811 tagline and an animated 811 logo, along with other NSDM tools.

In the meantime, be sure to share your NSDM plans with fellow members on Engage and let us know about NSDM proclamations via this brief form.